“Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about His mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.” (Colossians 4:3-4 NLT)
If you’ve ever traveled to a part of the world that didn’t speak the same language as you it can be very difficult to communicate ANY message, but especially one that is of eternal consequence. While in Mexico on a mission’s trip I sat down with my English to Spanish dictionary and tried to have a conversation with three young girls. We were doing Bible School for children, and I very much wanted to learn to interact with them, but it was disastrous. All the girls could do was laugh at my efforts.
That’s how I’ve felt at times trying to communicate the Gospel message to someone who has little or no understanding of the Bible or Biblical truth. There are times I feel like I’m simply transmitting information rather than translating the Good News into an understandable lifeline for someone who is lost.
If we don’t speak with words our audience can understand, we’re not communicating truth that will change their lives, we’re merely transmitting noise that becomes unintelligible to them. We must speak the language of our audience, whether that’s through an interpreter in a foreign country or in our neighborhood with someone who has never been in a Chrisitan setting, thus doesn’t speak the language of the salvation in Christ alone by faith alone. How do we do that?
In the verses following the ones above Paul, who was in prison, wrote: “Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”
There is a wife and daughter of a man who committed suicide who are my neighbors. As a Pastor I had to conduct the funeral of a man who took his own life. I struggle with what to say, but often a person who has lost a loved one doesn’t need words, they need compassion, hope, peace, assurance, in short, they need someone to speak their language.
Something that has been helpful for me to understand is that we don’t have to have answers as much as we need the Spirit of Jesus. Someone who is hurting doesn’t need our words, they need our presence to give them quiet assurance that they’re not alone, but also to realize that God is with them and will walk with them through whatever tragedy they’re experiencing.
Who are you seeking to reach for Jesus? What do you most need to equip you to take the initiative to reach out to them? The two greatest, most useful “tools” we need is prayer and the willingness to learn their “language.” The Lord will teach you what to say and how to say it, but you have to be willing to ask Him and listen to His instructions. Paul cautioned us to “live wisely.” In this context I believe that means to understand our audience. With what pressures, pains, or particular circumstances are they dealing?
Hurting people need to be able to hear your heart before they’ll listen to your words. Show compassion in your actions before you try to tell them how to respond to what they’re experiencing. Most of the time we don’t have a clue what they’re feeling or thinking and may never unless we ask them how we can pray for them. We can’t simply transmit words, we must translate our compassion into caring.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 