In 1986 R&B funk group Cameo released its #1 hit on the R&B chart, “Word up!” The cross over hit worked its way to number six on the Billboard Hot 100, and even managed to spend a week at number one on the Hot Dance Singles Chart. The crossover song was even a hit on UK’s airways and enjoyed a ten week stint on the top forty, climbing all the way to number 3. The phrase and title, “Word Up!” is thought to have originated in urban areas across the US, including New York. “Word up!” is a way of expressing agreement, or affirmative, and according to the song’s writers, Larry Blackmon, Tom Jenkins, and Jost Hendrik Klein, it particularly means, “You bet.” Beyond the lyrics and title of the iconic 1980’s R&B megahit, using the word, “word,” to express confirmation has been around a long time in slang. So long, in fact, it’s hard if not impossible to trace its origins. Some sources point towards the “Spoken Word,” which was an early form of rap music, but other experts believe that the expression, “word” has been around for over a century if not longer.
There’s no way of knowing for sure, but it’s possible that saying, “word,” originated in church!
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 1 John 1-5 KJV”
“Word,” in 1 John 1:1, when translated back into its original language (Greek) is Logos (λόγος). Logos means “the expression of a thought.” In the case of John 1:1 it means “expressing the thoughts of the Father through the Spirit.” John is saying that Jesus Christ is a living expression of Gods’ thoughts towards humanity. If the miraculous life of Jesus Christ is the way God choses to express His thoughts towards to humanity, what are the words in which God wants to say to each and every one of us? It’s really simple. I love you.
In fact, all of the Gospels express the love of God that is manifested through God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Christ offers peace, hope, and the ability to handle anything a world that is infected by sin throws our way. Jesus lived a perfect live and He was without any sin. Christ offered His perfect life on a cross meant for murders in the place of a cursed humanity so that the world may know God’s mercy, grace, and God’s loving thoughts.
“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8 KJV”
Humanity’s’ acceptance of sin from the very beginning created a hopeless situation and the inevitability of self-destruction. But it was God’s intention from the very beginning to save humanity from itself. God’s precious thoughts became Jesus Christ and He breathed and walked among humanity expressing the love of the Father. Christ defeated death, hell, and the grave so that “all who will” may be reconciled to the Father in heaven despite living in sinful cursed world. But how are we reconciled to God? By accepting God’s loving thoughts towards humanity that are manifested in His Son Jesus Christ!
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9 ”
God knew long before we were born that humanity would fail at its endeavor to perfect society because of sin. The task of true justice and equity is too great of a task for humanity. Jesus did all of the work! Reconciling your rightful place with God and knowing his loving thoughts towards you begins by expressing your thoughts to have a relationship with Him. Remember, He loved you first, and He’s already proven His love. We have the easy part! First, we confess openly That Jesus Christ is Lord of all creation, and that includes you! This denounces sin’s dictatorial leadership over your life, releases you from the enemy’s earthly kingdom, and it means that you no longer have to be afraid of anything. Second, we believe that Christ is God’s Son, and that He was raised from the dead. Here, “belief” is not an idle word, it means to spring into action! Remember, God simply think about humanity, he sacrificed His only Son for the sins of the world. Belief isn’t something contained in the brain, it’s a pursuit of a lifelong relationship with the King of all kings, and the Lord of all lords.
If you have ever wondered if God knows you, if He cares, and if He loves you, the answer is undoubtedly, “You bet!” Or, “Word Up!”