Debate

I am in the midst of a debate. It is not a conversation that has much volume, in fact you might not be able to even tell that there is a debate going on at all. 

It is a conversation of one, and it's contained within my soul. But it is real. 

I saw a YouTube video of a debate between an atheist and Christian today that was most interesting: they were both comedians talking about their respective views on religion, God and Jesus. It was very interesting because their views were presented in such a funny way that it was disarming. They had a way of hearing each other but not really listening and that was interesting too. 

But as I was listening, especially to the believer, I found myself disagreeing with some of his take on Jesus, and I was frustrated. I was frustrated because I wanted to agree with him, I wanted to be able to align myself with this person who was funny and quick witted and engaging, but I couldn't. I just didn't see him standing on the mark. 

And so I found myself having a debate, that silent but real debate in my soul. 

This is particularly relevant for me right now because I am going to be attending a seminar that is going to deal with homosexuality and Jesus. It looks like a large number of people from the LGBT community are going to be there too. And there is debate going on in my soul.....

Part of me wants to be able to align myself with my community, my culture. Part of me wants to see the wisdom that has captured the imaginations of these people whose experiences have brought them to a place where lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual life makes sense. 

But I just can't. And so there is a debate happening in my soul. 

As a follower of Jesus in world where it seems that there are so many ideas competing for our allegiance it can seem that every conversation is a potential debate. Jesus says that he is the prince of peace, but then he also says that he has not come to bring peace but division-  more debates. 

I've come to realize that following Jesus is much simpler if we can sanitize our "religion" by keeping it indoors, or hidden in our hearts. We are more comfortable with our beliefs in Jesus if we can follow him with a small group of people who basically believe the same things, say the same things, and generally do the same things. But this kind of faith- this kind of safe, homogenized belief is not what Jesus had in mind at all. He has called us to stand with a belief in Him that defies the reigning beliefs of the day. He has called us to be "out there" with Him, among those who disagree, with those who cannot see how what we believe makes any sense at all. 

And this causes debates. 

These are the words of the One we follow:

   Matthew 28:19-20 NIV

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

I don't know about you but Jesus has said to me that if I believe in Him then I need to be among those who don't know him and might not like me. 

I think that is exactly where we will find the One we profess to love and follow.

I take comfort knowing His promise to me: "I am with you always"....

Even in the midst of a debate. 

BT

Pastor Brian Tysdal

Rock of Ages Church

Saskatoon, Sask.