Three word Phrases

 

You would not be surprised to learn that I am fascinated with words. It would be a poor job if someone who spends a lot of time writing and public speaking was not interested in the words they use. Our choice of words and vocabulary develops over time and reflects what we read, listen to, watch, etc. Developing a pool of words you can draw from is good, especially if you want to communicate clearly.

 

Interestingly, we love to express ourselves in short, snappy statements. However, I was intrigued at how often we use memorable three-word phrases that communicate our point clearly. Let me give you some examples:

 

Black and White

Haves and have-nots

Kiss and tell 

Pros and cons

Tried and tested 

Flesh and blood

Down and out

 

These expressive short statements convey an idea clearly and in a way that is easy to remember.

 

At a very elementary level, many things in life can be summed up in three words:

 

Time as Past, Present and Future 

Dimensions as Width, Height and Depth 

Feelings of Love, Joy and Peace

Belief as Faith, Hope and Love

Consciousness as Body, Soul and Spirit

 

All of these phrases are found in the Bible, the oldest and most trusted manual for living. Let's consider the first two.

 

As human beings, we all know that we have a past, present and future. We also know that what we have done in the past or do in the present will impact our future. The principle applies to finances, relationships, health, or our relationship with God. To use a biblical and agricultural phase - 'you reap what you sow'. This statement is firmly rooted (excuse the pun) in the Bible, where the Apostle Paul states in Galatians 6 verses 7-9, 'Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap'. This verse is used in the context of Christian giving, but the logic is that those who have had generosity shown to them should be equally generous to others. God's greatest gift to humans is forgiveness through the death, burial and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. If we have benefited from this free gift, we should be generous in caring for others.

 

Width, height, and depth have length dimensions added to one Bible verse. The expression is used in Ephesians chapter 3, verses 18,19 to describe the extent of the love of God for the people He created. The point is that you cannot measure the extent of the love. The Bible repeatedly stresses that God loves all of us and gave His Son as payment for sin so that we can enjoy forgiveness and a restored relationship with Him. Here are some sample verses from the Bible:

 

'For God so loved the world . . . ,' John 3. 16, KJV.

'But God demonstrates his own love for us . . .' Romans 5. 8, NIV.

'Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son  . . .,' 1 John 4. 10, KJV.

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