Transformed by the Word

Celebrating the language of friendship

By Lyn Wake | Wycliffe Today October 2019 

Wycliffe Australia has a vision ‘to see disciples of Jesus growing through the Scriptures available in a language that speaks to their hearts’, just as John described in his vision of heaven:

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. (Revelation 7:9 NIV)

Every nation! Every tribe! Every diverse people group! Every one of those languages represented, all worshipping Jesus in unity before God’s throne forever. While our minds cannot yet perceive what that wonderful fellowship will look like, we can begin to build and celebrate ‘forever friendships’ right now! 

Recently, our Ministry Adventure Discovery (MAD) team spent time with Indigenous brothers and sisters in the Northern Territory. In this place where Australian culture and language can be ‘worlds apart’, the language of true friendship broke down barriers like nothing else could. The mutual love and respect of simply ‘doing life together’, spoke a language that all understood. 

The willingness to learn from and honour each other as equals, does not come naturally— it is only made possible through the transformational gift of God’s Word speaking to us in our own languages. 

God offers us friendship with him, and with each other, through his son, Jesus. As we are transformed by the Word, we engage with each other on a whole new level of Jesus-centred friendship.  

How can you begin to build and celebrate forever friendships with those who will be gathered around the throne of God with you?

Be transformed by the Word by reading John 15:1-17 and Revelation 7