Effective Dialogue

“But, as you know, it is fundamental to any kind of dialogue that the participants are clear about their own identity. That is, dialogue cannot be an occasion to accommodate or soften what you actually understand yourself to be.”

Well, I can't say I agree with Pope Benedict XVI on alot of things, but this is one point we share. I can't dialogue with you unless I know where I stand. There was a sermon I preached from the Gospel of Mark. I don't remember which chapter, or verse, or passage. But I remember the fact that Jesus was able to stand up to his detractors because he knew who he was.

We need to have that same assurance. This is one of the reasons regular church attendance, Bible reading, and Bible study are so important. As we continually ground ourselves in who we are, and what we believe, we know how to answer those who question us.

It also gives us courage to face life. I see people in my line of work who have undergone terrible things, and I wonder how I would do if faced with the same problems. Its the same thing again. I need to know who I am, and where I stand, to face these things.

In my daily dialogue with those around me, or even the chance encounters, knowing where I stand allows me to evaluate where they are at also. Do they stand with me? Against me? Or are they just spinning in circles wasting time?

One more thing here. I need to know these things in order to know if I am giving ground. What can I sacrifice? What is holy ground? What do I need to protect at all costs? I grew up believing that a person must speak in tongues in order to get into heaven, must attend the Assemblies of God, and several other things along these lines. A christian cannot drink. A christian cannot smoke. A christian cannot swear. Well, Jesus came to save sinners. Saved from hell. Saved from their sins. If they don't change, they can still be saved. But they must believe that Jesus is the Son of God who came in the flesh. They must trust him for their salvation, and none else.

These things hold firm.