The Difference a Capital Makes
By Dean Collins
Every day we use lower and upper case when we write. You probably don’t remember all the rules concerning when to capitalize, because after learning the basic rules in elementary school, we tend to naturally switch back and forth from lower case to upper case as we write or, more likely, tap away on our devices.
What you may remember or have observed in small children is that, for some, writing in capital letters is easier. It is easier because, when we are young, our fine motor skills are still developing. And you might have noticed that these same motor skills become weaker in senior years. If you are making your grocery list in capital letters, then now you know why.
A lower case letter and an upper case letter represent the same letter as we spell our words or read text. But there are some words that mean something entirely different when capitalized. For instance, if I write March, you probably think about the 3rd month of the year. But if I write march, then you might think of soldiers or a band marching in formation. Other examples might be China, the country, or china, which you may set your table with on special occasions.
As we read 2 Corinthians 4:1–6, we see Paul use lower and upper case letters as well. And there is a vast difference in the two that are described.
The first is God. In these six verses, we see God referenced six times.
He demonstrates mercy,
provides us His word,
is the one who sees,
who is the glory of Christ,
who is the image of God,
the one who let light shine out of darkness,
and who has shown in our hearts to give light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
The other spelling of the same word is lower case—the god of this world;
practices cunning,
tampers with God’s word,
and blinds the minds of unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel.
There is a big difference in god and God. There is truly no comparison between the god of this world and the God by whom all things were made. The apostle Paul said that the ministry he was given was by the mercy of God for the purpose of shining the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Paul did not lose heart as he conducted his ministry in very difficult and often dangerous situations because he knew that the god of this world has no power over the God who created this world and sent His Son Jesus to redeem us and all of creation. Today, we see many of the same things at play in our world. We cannot participate in the disgraceful and underhanded ways of the god of this world. Our role is to live as servants for Jesus’ sake. When we proclaim Christ and Him crucified, we dispel the darkness both through our words and by our actions.
Father, today we do not lose heart because we know that the god of this world has no power over us. Today we will go forth in the power of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, and show the world Your love as we serve others with our words and deeds. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
2 Corinthians 4:1-6 ESV
Photo by Pexels
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