The Language of Respect (Acts 2: 1-8)
“1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: ‘Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?’”
What an astounding circumstance! To preach the gospel in others’ home language must have instilled awe. To the bystanders, I’m sure that it was comforting, and a matter of interest, to receive a message on such familiar terms. Immediately, they would have been open and accepting. They would have felt a sense of kinship right from the start.
To present something in a manner that is likely to be received is an art, a skill, that needs to be learned. We start by respecting where people are coming from, their cultural perspectives, their experience, and the realities and attitudes that they have taken on as their own. We need to give people credit in their ability to make sense of their world. We need to be open to their concerns and needs. Know up front, God loves them just as they are. Our job is not to apprehend their sensibilities, but to give them food for thought, or a gentle and respectful nudge.
The language of respect is filled with grace. It is affirming and comforting, and it makes people feel safe. The willingness to listen first is of utmost importance. We do not want to get into a contentious debate. By valuing true conversation where their points are thoughtfully received, and their perspectives are given a fair hearing, we begin to learn what is most important to them. As a goal, we are not making clones of ourselves, and it does not even matter if their end product is something we can entirely identify with. This is about them. And in the end, their faith will be as alive and active as anything we could previously imagine.
Grace looks past difference. It does not tally offences, or seek out areas of dissonance. Rather, it is humble. It embraces. It appreciates and respects. Ultimately, we are seeking points of resonance. In that, we discover that we have a lot to learn ourselves.
The language of respect engenders love, and really that is the heart of the matter. God’s love looks past our flaws and imperfections; even our stiff-necked stubbornness in resisting that which appears different. We have to realize that we cannot confine God’s love to the majority experience. It is broad and vast. It is unconditional. In Christ, he acknowledges that we are hopefully lost, that we cannot do it ourselves, and he condescends from his place of infinite majesty to our position of need. He allows for our humanity. He is compassionate and kind.
In respecting others, we need to take God’s lead and become genuine lovers of people. Only then will the message transform individuals, communities, and nations. But first we need to live it ourselves in our small circles: among wives, children, parents, siblings, extended family, coworkers, neighbors, and strangers alike. There are always challenges to meet, and excuses why it’s impossible, so be extra diligent. Through the Holy Spirit, who supplies vigor and strength, we can be better. Only then will the message take hold.
Pray for wisdom. Pray for patience. Pray for vitality and joy. But, most of all, pray that God will teach you how to love so that your efforts will be genuine and true, feeling affection instead of irritation and grumpiness. In this, I bet that you will discover the necessity of learning the language of respect.