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Clear Speech
Rom 10:14-15 How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not
believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And
how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach
unless
they are sent? Just as it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those
who bring glad tidings of good things!" (NAS)
I had an interesting encounter with my 14-year old son this week. He
needed
help formatting some homework on the computer. It was a time line. He had
years listed with specific events from those years listed and nicely
spaced
in six columns across the page. When he tried to print the document the
data
was all over the page rather than in the neat columns he had worked to
create. I attempted to explain proportionally spaced fonts, and I think he
got that. The I said, "Make a table and put the information from each year
in its own cell." He looked at me like I had grown a third eyeball right
in
the middle of my head.
I had given him a perfectly valid solution to his problem. When I actually
sat down and showed him what a table was and how to put the information
into
the cells everything was fine. But prior to that he had no more idea what
I
was saying than how to split atoms. What was crystal clear to me was Greek
to him. I had failed to convey the message.
But we worked it out. He now has a new tool to use when formatting his
work
in a document. And while this is a good thing I couldn't help but wonder
at
a parallel. How many times do we try to tell someone about Jesus or
something from the Bible and use a language or words that they have no
idea
how to interpret. I've seen the "what in the world did you mean by that"
look from more than my son. Sometimes I believe God has a purpose for this
moment of confusion. Other times I think I just frustrate the person who
has
actually stopped to listen to me.
Listen to yourself. This may sound a little odd but hear me out. How many
words do we use as Christians regularly that non-believers have never or
only rarely heard? When someone doesn't understand something, they are not
the problem, unless they are simply not listening. The idea of a
"substatutionary death" is enough for the person to digest without having
to
fight the words used. "He died in our place", is easy to understand. Paul
met people where they were in life. He spoke to governors, prison guards,
sailors, philosophers, fellow travelers and possibly even to Cesar. He
gladly spoke to their level and their needs. He is an excellent example of
a
communicator. It was always the same message of hope and love crafted
skillfully for each one who heard it.
1 Cor 9:19-23 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a
slave
to all, that I might win the more. 20 And to the Jews I became as a Jew,
that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law,
though not being myself under the Law, that I might win those who are
under
the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being
without the law of God but under the law of Christ, that I might win those
who are without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the
weak; I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save
some. 23 And I do all things for the sake of the gospel, that I may become
a
fellow partaker of it. (NAS)
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Lord Jesus - Thank You for the example of Paul, and your example - simply
calling to the hearts of men, "Follow Me." Help us to speak the message
truly and carefully with out lives and our tongues. Amen. |