The other day I was at a park with my children where there were other mothers speaking in a foreign language. I couldn’t understand one word they said. I don’t even know for sure what language it was they were communicating. However, this made me consider the word of God and how it can feel like a completely different language to our flesh. It isn’t always natural to act as God would have us. Our flesh can easily contend with the word of God.
I’ve fallen in love with scripture. I am head over heels, wholly in love with the language of God. It is responsible for connecting me to my Savior. Christ is revealed through the living word. The word of God is the true language of love, grace and mercy. It is the only written word which was created, and has the ability, to change a person from the inside out.
For years I’ve been saying, “I wish I was bilingual.” My Grandfather who was bilingual, always said, “It is a gift to speak two languages.” Becoming bilingual requires study, which takes a lot of time. The same is required to be knowledgeable in the word of God. We must make an effort to know the scriptures. When we learn the beautiful, perfect and infallible language of the Creator, we will connect with Him on the deepest level possible.
In the Merriam-Webster on-line dictionary I found three definitions to describe the word Bilingual. I want to pay close attention to the second.
- Having or expressed in two languages
- Using or able to use two languages especially with equal fluency
- Of or relating to bilingual education
There is a huge difference in the meaning of bilingual when studying and learning the word of God compared to learning a foreign language. When you set out on the journey to become bilingual, the goal is to learn the new language with equal fluency to your first language. The difference when studying the Bible as a new living language is that the goal should be to elevate the word of God to your first language and leave your original (sin-nature) language behind. The aspiration should be to choose His ways to become your ways through the gift of His word.
The word of God is a life-giving-love-related language holding power, faith, mercy, and authority to bring about change in the human heart. It fills us with knowledge concerning our eternity.
I want to encourage you to allow the word of God to serve as a new language to you. Let it take over your life. This, no doubt, takes a lifetime to conquer but the pursuit of this goal will lead you straight into the arms of Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 2:12-13
That you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
