DEVOTION//Will the gospel become extinct?

On January 21, 2008, the Evak language became extinct.

Evak is extinct

Evak was spoken in Alaska. Marie Smith Jones was the last person able to speak Evak. When she died 13 years ago, the language died with her.

Evak usage declined when the Tinglit people migrated into that area of Alaska. But its imminent extinction began when the English language became prominent and aboriginal languages in Alaska were suppressed. Marie Smith Jones had nine children. None of them learned Evak.

Could the gospel become extinct

Could the gospel, God's love language, become extinct? Could the fragrance and flower of Christianity be overcome by the weeds of other religions and human philosophies? The answer is no. Christianity will exist until the Savior returns. It will be beaten down and harassed, but never conquered. For that reason, Paul envisions Christians rejoicing in Jesus coming in the clouds on Resurrection Day: "We who are alive and left until the coming of the Lord will certainly not go on ahead of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Thessalonians 4:15 EHV).

But God's love language could become extinct in your community. It could become extinct in your family. It could become extinct because we believers fail to take the Great Commission into our hearts and lives.

"Go," Jesus has commissioned us, "and gather disciples from all nations" (Matthew 28:19. EHV). But Paul asks, "How can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one about whom they have not heard?" (Romans 10:14 EHV). If we Christians fail to share the gospel in our communities, how can people come to faith? If we fail to introduce our children to Jesus and surround them with God's language of love, how will they become believers?

God’s grace moves us to speak his language

But don't allow fear of the extinction of God's message of grace force you to share your faith with people. We have much better reasons to "go and gather disciples." Let the joy of heaven that you can share with others move you to speak up. Be motivated by the Savior's love for you, love that gives you heaven by forgiving all your sins.

We have a heaven-sent language to speak. We speak it with our lips and lives. Broadcast God's Word, the Word that became flesh and dwelled among us. Talk about seeing his glory, the glory of the only-begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Speak God's love language so as many as possible learn to speak it, as well.