I have recently developed a fascination with accents; distinctive ways of pronouncing words in a language linked to specific countries or regions. For example, in Kenya, there is a typical accent that’s distinctly ours, as recognized by those who aren’t Kenyan. However, if we were to whittle it down to specific tribes or areas, most also have distinct pronunciations. Kikuyus, Luos, Somalis, and Kambas all have different accents that distinguish them from other Kenyans. Going beyond Kenyan borders, English-speaking countries have various accents as well. This is why we have terms such as American and British English. Who can forget about Canada and her ‘sorries’? In short, one of the easiest ways to distinguish which tribe or country one belongs to is by how they speak. Accents are, in many ways, a means of identity.
The same relates to our lives as Christians. We are to be a people whose accent immediately stands out from the rest. It shouldn’t take someone ages to wonder whether we are Christians or not. Instead, as the shining city on the hill (Matthew 5:14), everything about us should scream Christian. There should be a distinct difference between Christians and the world, similar to the distinction between American and British English. Though we are in the world, there is still to be a considerable difference. Like American and British English, the differences should be in terms of worldliness and Christlikeness. Though our language sounds the same, it has two distinctly different accents. Using 2 Peter 1:5-11, I will examine the question: Would your accent identify you as a citizen of heaven?
The Distinct Heavenly Tones
Particular things need to stand out when being considered to have a specific accent. How you pronounce and intonate words makes it clear what accent you are using. The same is true with our heavenly citizenship. As Peter told his readers, the distinct tones he was about to say to them were how they would make their calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10). If these distinct tonal markers were found in their accents, they would be outed as Christians.
Peter begins with faith and bookends it with love. For Christians, the preeminent fruit of our faith is love. What is the greatest commandment? As Jesus answered, it is love for God and love for others (Matthew 22:37-40). Paul, in 1 Corinthians 13:13, wrote that love is greater than both faith and hope. If your faith doesn’t lead to love, then it is pointless. John wrote, “If you have no love for others, you are abiding in death” (1 John 3:11-18). Those are the two main tonal variations. None can survive without the other. You can’t have faith without love, as the way you can’t love God without believing in him. Therefore, it stands to reason that without the two, everything Peter mentions in between makes no sense. In the same way, an accent is distinguished by its pronunciation and intonation.
The Heavenly Accent’s Building Blocks
Therefore, what are the other markers that survive off our two main ones? Starting us off is virtue. Out of your faith, there must be a desire to do good, to strive for moral excellence and holiness, without which none shall see God. “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:17). You can’t claim to have the accent of heaven, and yet still be considered among those who don’t do good (Psalm 53:3). You still are on the same side with the world and walk according to her ways, which is precisely what we were saved from (Ephesians 2:1-3). Therefore, if you aren’t supplementing your faith with your virtue, then you might still be of the world, and the love of the Father isn’t in you (1 John 2:15-17).
Hence, our virtue must be supplemented by a yearning to know everything heavenly. We must seek to keep our ways pure by living according to God’s word (Psalm 119:9-11). We must also learn to hate every false way by grasping his precepts (Psalm 119:104). In short, without a knowledge of how God works and who he is, we cannot supplement our faith with virtue. If we are truly growing to hate every false way, we will strive to be self-controlled and not pursue wickedness. Additionally, our self-control has to be built on a desire to hold on to the solid ground. Being steadfast, unshakable, unmovable, and unwavering.
The Heavenly Language
To be unwavering, you ought to not only have a heavenly tone. You must desire the language as well. To have faith and love as the backbone of your accent, you need to learn the language of godliness. It is the beloved language for all of heaven’s citizens. Gaining a heavenly accent will be impossible without a knowledge of godliness. What is the point of your faith and love without being clothed by the language of God, which is to be holy as he is (Leviticus 19:2)? What does it mean to have the language of godliness? It simply means striving to be imitators of Christ. It means following his example, as only when you do will you regard everything as loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:7-11).
Out of all that, we are called to be a people filled with brotherly affection. To sharpen the intonation in your accent, you need to speak to others. The same is true with love. Countless times in scripture, we are told that love for God is proven through our love for others. John indicates in his letter that you are considered not of this world if you have love for your brothers (1 John 3:14-15). The second greatest commandment, love for neighbor, proves this point (Matthew 22:39). Jesus emphasized that we are known to be his own if we love one another (John 13:34-35). When Christ saves us, we become children of God (Romans 8:14-15), meaning we become part of a larger family. Therefore, the same love that our Father has for us should also be found in us.
The Buildup
Will it be easy to build up this accent? No, it won’t. After all, we are entering this kingdom as foreigners. That means that building up this accent will require us to be well assimilated. Like any foreigner in a new land, we will face hardships trying to take in new information. However, just as foreigners become naturalized citizens of a country after staying for a certain period, the same can be true for us. If we continue training ourselves in the language of godliness (Titus 2:12), the pronunciation (faith) and intonation (love) of our accent will soon become natural to us. Therefore, don’t despair. Instead, strive to build up your heavenly accent. The reward, belonging and having eternal citizenship in God’s kingdom, is well worth it (2 Peter 1:11). May your accent conspicuously identify your heavenly citizenship.