Hebrews
2:17 & 18 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every
way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in
service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because
he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being
tempted.
My friend David comes over often. Occasionally, he comes over to discuss,
argue, and belittle Christianity. Not
Christ, although he does question his divinity. He is one of my agnostic
friends who I believe makes me a better Christian. He is one of those agnostic and atheistic
types that I feel comfortable with being around. Even though he thinks that my faith is
somewhat self-deluded he supports me in my walk.
David
reminds me how much in common we, us Christians, share with the rest of the
world – even those who are vehemently opposed to our beliefs. We all want to know that we are loved, that our
lives have some meaning, to be involved in the lives of others and to enjoy the
time we have on this mud ball. And we
both agree that the world needs a good Atheistic writer like Christopher
Hitchens, the current popular one is just not the same.
He
came over the other day. As usual we got
to discussing religion. Other times we
talk about the Canucks, our mutual friends, movies, and stupid but fun
adventures we have shared. This day, this visit, he wondered about a mutual
friend of ours who has found enlightenment.
This
friend dispenses his wisdom to others freely – without cost and without
restraint. This mutual friend has
defined my Christianity for me – without understanding what I believe. He is proof that judgmentalism knows no
specific religion or belief. When David questioned
me about my thoughts on the superiority of one person over another I replied, “All
have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.”
This
opened a wide ranging discussion regarding the Bible, God, Jesus, us, creation,
and numerous jokes. Imagine Joseph and
Mary being introduced by the neighbours.
“I’d like you to meet Mr. and Mrs. Christ, their son Jesus is really
gonna make a name for himself.”
And
in the process of being challenged about my faith, I was reminded of what is
important:
· - The essential message that we
cannot be good enough to earn God’s Grace
· - and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption
that came by Christ Jesus
· - My faith is a response of
gratitude that Grace is freely given
· - My faith is an expression of
compassion to others
· - That I still suck at that
response and expression
Then
he asked the question of the night. The
context of the question of the night is our understanding, or belief, that we
are insignificant. He looks at me and
asks, “So you really believe that God would come down here in human form?”
“Yes.” I answered.
“That
is stupid.” David replied.
“The
belief or the coming down here?” I
asked.
“Both.”
“Yes,
they are.”
Compassion
and love, even God’s, trumps intelligence every day.
Matt 7:13 & 14 Enter through the narrow
gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and
many enter through it. But small is the
gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Christ and his life and gift of grace on
the Cross makes no sense. It goes
against the grain of what seems to us logical – that somehow we toil and strive
to gain God’s forgiveness and grace. It
is hard to believe, even for those of us who have experienced it.
We
are given this gift freely, not so that we can go on sinning, though they idea
of actually stopping is somewhat odd, but so that we can get down to the
business of what God wants for us. What
wants for us? To love and care for each
other.
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