Love Isn’t Debatable

Love Isn’t Debatable
I am not a good debater. I cave as soon as someone starts to get all in a flurry about their point of view. On the other hand, I have family members who say: “Bring it on” when a potential debate surfaces.

That’s my grandson, Payton. He is a successful businessman and much of that success comes from his four years of speech and debate experience with the NCFCA (National Christian Forensics & Communications Association). He can sure hold his own when it comes to debating an issue with anyone!

When he still lived at home, I well remember his dad and him debate the rules of Rummikub or some other “it doesn’t really matter” point of view. Payton always won – not because he was right, but his dad refused to debate him any longer.

I was with three friends recently and the conversation started to get “debatable”. I debated a few minutes and lived to regret it. Later I had to make amends for my need to be right. I remembered debating and having to be right with my husband only led to a disconnect. But authenticity and warmth brought about understanding and harmony. Love isn’t debatable.

Speaking of debates, I think I found the greatest debater and was completely struck by this line in the Book of Acts: “He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly with persuasive arguments about the Kingdom of God” (Acts 19:8).

I read it a few times, circled it, underlined it, and wrote in the margin, “Paul debated for 3 MONTHS!!!” What? That man had thoroughly been brainwashed by the blood of Jesus from his old ways of non-belief in Christ to total, sold-out commitment TO Christ!

I was amazed at his tenacity, mostly that it can be utterly exhausting to debate our faith in this year of 2022. Perhaps you know what it is like to have your family, friends, co-workers, or the peanut gallery on Facebook questioning you, putting you down, or ridiculing you for your beliefs or for the counter-cultural way you choose to live in light of your faith.

It can be tiring to continue to defend our beliefs, explain Christ’s teachings, and to live in our world amidst such questioning, negativity, and even hatred of our Christian stance.

But as I read that Paul could debate unceasingly for three months straight, I am somewhat embarrassed that I can wear out so easily.
I am challenged ever more that as a Christian, I must step up to live as Paul did. With this daily blog, I must continue to have a tireless spirit and a steadfast resolve to defend my faith in love and peace. I’ll also pray God gives me wisdom and relentless fortitude interwoven in each conversation and each relationship.

Christianity isn’t about proving others wrong, but it is about proving that others are loved. That LOVE is not debatable. Often, when I witness “discussions” of others, I am drawn to look a little closer at my own life and how much more I need to reflect the love of Jesus Christ to a world that needs His love.

I want to look like Jesus to my friends because as John 12:32 says, “And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself.” Hopefully, I lift Him up enough that it will draw others to Him. That’s my goal — to meet up with them all in heaven someday!