Two words:
pêcheurs and
pécheurs. They are separated on paper merely by une petite accent (aigu ou circumflexe) but separated in thought by vast spiritual connotations.
When reading my Sainte Bible the other morning a simple misread of une petite accent caused me much confusion and prompted me to look deeper into the text as well as my heart and mind...
Un
pêcheur is a fisherman, while un
pécheur is a sinner. Imagine my bewilderment when I read "Blessed is the man...who does not stop on the way of
pécheurs (sinners) " as "Blessed is the man...who does not stop on the way of
pêcheurs (fishermen)."
It can be quite shocking how easily one falls into sin. Each and every human being has an incredible capacity for righteousness yet, also the capability to commit atrocious acts. The line between pêcheurs and pécheurs is thin. Though the line is thin it is loaded with importance; the side on which one ends up determines his or her place for eternity. The difference between pêcheurs and pécheurs [To clarify, when I speak of a sinner I mean one who lives his or her life in sin, not simply one who sins; for even fishers of men (still being men after all) sin.] is that one is led by the Spirit of Truth and the other by the spirit of lies.
Now, I am not suggesting that the closeness of these words is in itself the basis of certain theological implications nor am I attempting to base an entire theological argument on the fact that these two words are so similar in form. I am simply relating this linguistic truth as an imagery to theological and spiritual truths.
It can be quite shocking how easily one falls into sin. Each and every human being has an incredible capacity for righteousness yet, also the capability to commit atrocious acts. The line between pêcheurs and pécheurs is thin. Though the line is thin it is loaded with importance; the side on which one ends up determines his or her place for eternity. The difference between pêcheurs and pécheurs [To clarify, when I speak of a sinner I mean one who lives his or her life in sin, not simply one who sins; for even fishers of men (still being men after all) sin.] is that one is led by the Spirit of Truth and the other by the spirit of lies.
Now, I am not suggesting that the closeness of these words is in itself the basis of certain theological implications nor am I attempting to base an entire theological argument on the fact that these two words are so similar in form. I am simply relating this linguistic truth as an imagery to theological and spiritual truths.
While the two words on paper are separated by une petite accent aigu ou circumflexe, the two titles in life are separated by a simple decision to follow the will of self or the will of God. Though simple, this decision is not necessarily easy. Human beings, in our fallen state, are hard wired to be self-seeking. Especially in contemporary society, where we are raised up believing that we hold the control over our lives and our fate, it is difficult to make the active choice to succumb to the will of a person or being other than ourselves. Even in recognizing this difficulty it can be seen that once we realize this about ourselves and become aware of the dissonance between self-centered living and the world around us, there is a sort of ease in letting go and allowing God to reveal Himself in our lives.
There are no pecheurs (literally, the word does not exist) only pêcheurs and pécheurs. A decision must be made: will you make the decision to live in accordance to God's will and be led by the Spirit of Truth or will you decide to live by self-will and be led by the spirit of lies? It may sound harsh to some (possibly most), but there is no in between; living on the fence is no way to live.
So, what is it, are you a pêcheur or a pécheur?
There are no pecheurs (literally, the word does not exist) only pêcheurs and pécheurs. A decision must be made: will you make the decision to live in accordance to God's will and be led by the Spirit of Truth or will you decide to live by self-will and be led by the spirit of lies? It may sound harsh to some (possibly most), but there is no in between; living on the fence is no way to live.
So, what is it, are you a pêcheur or a pécheur?
