“What we have here is a failure to communicate.” Those are the infamous words uttered by the Prison Guard to Paul Newman in the movie “Cool Hand Luke.” They have since become a catchphrase referring to what happens when communication breaks down between the communicator and the person being communicated to. A promise from God is recorded in Zephaniah 3:9. It speaks of the times under Christ’s rule. It says, “For at that time, I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord.” Verse 9 says that God will purify the speech of mankind so that they will serve God together in one accord. This is the direct reversal of the scattering of the nations at the tower of Babel. Notice the purpose of the pure speech. It is to serve the Lord together. “One accord” is an important phrase in this passage. I believe it speaks to us of being able to serve God and worship Him together in a way that all can understand and participate.
When the Holy Spirit fell upon the disciples in the upper room, His presence was manifested by the speaking of all the various languages in a way that everyone could understand. It was a preview of the coming ultimate fulfillment of Zephaniah’s prophecy. The “Bond” of the Holy Spirit in the church is the bond that holds us together and equips, motivates, and challenges us to work together in accomplishing the mission that Christ has given us. We are all on this mission together. I like the way Paul puts it in Romans 3:8-9. He writes, “The one who plants and the one who waters have a common purpose, and each will receive wages according to the labor of each. For we are God’s servants, working together.”
Gung-ho is an adjective that means enthusiastic and eager participation in a cause. It is especially used with regard to taking part in fighting and warfare. It comes from the Chinese term gonghe, which means “to work together.” It was adopted as the slogan of the US Marines in World War II. You still hear it today. It carries the connotation of unquestioning loyalty to a cause accompanied by undying devotion to the tasks at hand to accomplish the mission. Embracing the mission that Christ has given us requires sacrifice and often suffering. We should be “Gung Ho!” Paul told Timothy, “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 2:3