CREDIT: Max Pixel (www.maxpixel.net)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

When I was in the Air Force, I got to help develop some remarkable software that automatically translated foreign languages into English. It helped people be able to read and understand the documents more easily. The most gratifying aspect of the job came years later while planning a trip to Germany. The websites I came across were all in German. But I noticed a “translate button” on the screen so I clicked it. The cool thing, the button translated the pages perfectly – with the same software I helped develop years before.

Translating foreign languages into understandable words has always been a valuable skill. Without it, it’s nearly impossible to communicate. We read in the Bible that God caused these languages to come about because people were too easily working together to build a tower to heaven – rather than trusting God to reach down to them (Genesis 11). 

But God desired to bring His people back to Himself through His word. His work continued as Jews and converts from across the world gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost (The Feast of Weeks) after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension to heaven. The Holy Spirit became the divine translator. He enabled Jesus’ disciples to speak the language of all these pilgrims so they could hear the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection to save them and all mankind from the eternal effects of sin.

Today this news continues spreading everywhere as the full Bible has been translated into over 700 languages. Through the same Holy Spirit, we can understand God’s word and His grace and mercy for us. We’ve been brought to faith in Christ. But the Holy Spirit continues His work in us. Dwelling within us, He daily urges us to immerse ourselves in God’s word through prayer, worship, and service to God. Through this immersion, the Holy Spirit reveals to us how God wants us to serve Him and others through gifts He’s given us. Why? For one reason – that others can also be brought to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

In Christ’s Love,

Pastor Jim