One Sure Way to Kill a Conversation & Two Ways to Revive It

Your neighbors really know how to throw a party.   So, whenever you receive an invite from them, you’re all in.  The husband considers himself an amateur chef, so you can always count on him for fine food—especially the appetizers.   Since his wife fancies herself a socialite, you know there will always be plenty of interesting people to talk with at one of their shindigs. 

The night of the party finally arrives.  You and your spouse are enjoying your time socializing.  The conversations follow their usual trajectory.  After introductions, everybody learns what each other does for a living, their marital status, the number of children they have and their corresponding ages.  After these subjects have been exhausted, the discussion wanders to politics and then to religion. 

“Do you really believe that?”  Nothing can chill the air faster than an honest answer to an sincere question.  If talking politics is a risk then discussing religion can be radioactive.  Politics largely, though not exclusively, focus on one’s wallet, while religion speaks to one’s soul.  Politics concerns this life whereas religion speaks to this one and the next. 

Today, talking religion takes people out of their comfort zone, but not for long.  Most disagreements are quickly settled with one or both of the following mantras: “That’s true for you, but not for me” or  “That’s just your interpretation.”  However, an objective reading of the Bible, including the teachings of Jesus, won’t resolve such debates so easily.

As a result, orthodox Christianity makes many people in many cultures  uncomfortable.  Frankly, followers of Jesus who take the Bible seriously must recognize this reality.  Consequently, the onus falls on Christians to authentically live their faith before an unconvinced and increasingly cynical world.

Like the ancient hero, Abraham, we will not always live out our faith consistently.  However, complete transparency is required if we hold out any hope of securing the trust of the skeptics we come into contact with on a daily basis.  Today’s lesson in Genesis 21:22-34 addresses a universal problem for followers of the LORD of every era.  This second episode involving Abraham and the Philistine King Abimelech teaches believers how to live among people that are uncomfortable with their presence.

This article is an excerpt of this Sunday's sermon in my series in Genesis.  All are welcome to join us for worship every Sunday at 10:30 am.  Lighthouse Community Baptist Church is located at 22 Pequot Trail in Pawcatuck.