The last blog I wrote (click here in case you missed it), has gotten a lot of feedback. Got comments and additional questions from people.
A few more random thoughts on the subject…
THE PENDULUM
I was talking to a couple of people yesterday on separate occasions. We were talking about people swinging to the other side of the pendulum.
I realize that when we started (Victory), there was a lot of zeal that needed some wisdom. In fact, there were clear danger signs of legalism.
However, while that was something we needed to be cautious about, I also said that we are not to forget what brought us to where we are today. During those days, there was a strong emphasis on purity and holiness. God has a standard. The Bible is clear about those standards. And no matter what ‘progress’ or ‘innovations’ there may be in culture, certain standards need to be upheld.
Because of an apprehension of swinging to the side of legalism, I fear that we might be in danger of swinging to the side of tolerance. We can’t. We mustn’t.
FREEDOM ABUSED
Paul states it clearly…
“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature…” (Gal. 5:13)
Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
You and I are free in Christ. But it is clear what has been said already that “Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.”
You can drink water from the Pasig River in case you get very thirsty, but it won’t necessarily be wise and beneficial.
Just because he can, doesn’t mean you can.
Paul says that one man’s conscience allows him to do certain things while if you do it, it actually violates something inside of you.
PERSONAL STORY
Since I surrendered my life to Jesus, I made a decision not to drink. Is it because I can’t? No… because as a Christ follower, I have the freedom because I am no longer under the law. While that is true, I also cannot use my freedom to indulge in the sinful nature.
However, it was a decision born out of a conviction that resulted from an experience years ago.
My step father was an alcoholic. He drank in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening. We had a ‘mini-bar’ in the house where all the “J&B’s”, “Cutty Sarks”, “Fundadors”, “Johnny Walkers” were displayed and consumed.
I saw with my very own eyes how my sister was physically beaten up because one man was under another ‘spirit’, out of control…drunk.
Because of that, I made a decision that that will have no place…NONE AT ALL… in my family. Again, this is just me… a decision for myself and my family.
That’s why.
But I cannot ram my convictions into someone’s throat.
You need to go to God, ask Him what He wants you to do.
To do that, you and I will need to read His word, see what it says… and UPHOLD IT!
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