Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Jots and tittles:
Paul taught that all Scripture is “God breathed” and reliable and profitable. Jesus taught that even the smallest Scripture (portions of letters, words and phrases) are also inspired. In numerous portions of Scripture the teaching rests on a seemingly insignificant component of the word or phrase.
For example: Paul used a differing tense of a verb to speak to the Galatians about their relationship with God Gal 4:9. Jesus used a past tense and present tense together to declare His deity Jn 8:58. Paul also used the singular to proclaim Christ Gal 3:16; Gen 22:17-18. Similarly, Jesus used present tense to correct the error of the Scribes concerning the state of those who die in the Lord Matt 22:32.
Jesus reprimanded two disciples after His resurrection because they did not believe all Scripture pertaining to Him Lu 24:25, 27. The Psalmist said (Psa 119:89)”For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” They are the words of God and they can never be broken or pass away.
Importance of the word:
A person’s attitude toward the word determines God’s attitude toward them Prov 13:13. When Adam and Eve sinned, it showed that they despised God’s commandment, and this brought sin and death upon the human family.
The word “despise” literally means hold in contempt; as insignificant, and is similar to the word meaning “being ashamed of”. It is a dangerous thing to question the claims of Scripture, ignore or try to explain away the teachings of Scripture.
The words commandments and word are essentially synonymous. Each is used many times in Psalms 119 declaring virtues of the word of God – Psa 119:6, 9, 89, 105, 160.
Those who have an awe of God’s word and strive to understand and obey will be rewarded. (shall be in peace) Psa 119:165.
The magnified Word Psa 138:2
The word of God is not greater than God, but is greater than His name, which is inestimably magnificent. The name of God represents all that He is and what He does and is supremely deserving of the praise of all His creatures.
But we can only know His name – what He is and what He does – through His word. The full exposition of His character of truth and His acts of love and mercy can be discerned only thru His word, which thus becomes greater than His name by manifesting and revealing His name.
In Jn 1:12 we are told how we are able to become the sons of God – by trusting His word of truth and appropriating His forgiving mercy; we deny His name by doubting His word and despising His offer of salvation.
The word is light, truth, living and energizing (Heb 4:12). Too often people charge Christians that they put too much emphasis upon the Word, but it is clear, we can never do that. Jesus said: “believest thou this?” We should be able to reply, “Yes.”