WILL JOHNNIE KEEP WALKING?

September 17, 2009

WILL JOHNNIE KEEP WALKING?

200903201541090.johnnie_walker 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!

Misc

Posted by:

Paolo Punzalan

Husband, father, pastor and most importantly, Christ follower.

7 responses to “WILL JOHNNIE KEEP WALKING?”

jaime s. bastero II

September 17, 2009 at 9:23 am

SAPUL!

Reply
Ella Sanvictores

September 17, 2009 at 9:59 am

For me, I had an alcohol problem before I went back to God and so, having been highly identified with alcohol/drunkeness in the past, my conviction was to stop drinking altogether when God made things new or me. Even a taste of alcohol/wine is a no-no for me – not because of legalism but because I want to live a blameless life out of my love and relationship with Christ. 🙂 If people see me still drinking and boasting about the Lord, I don’t think they will believe that there is genuine change. But like you, this is my personal conviction – a thing between me and God. Not even my boss (EVP) or the President of the company can force me to drink even in social gatherings (for the sake of fun or pleasing the clients) because of this solid conviction.

Reply
Ella Sanvictores

September 17, 2009 at 10:00 am

For me, I had an alcohol problem before I went back to God and so, having been highly identified with alcohol/drunkeness in the past, my conviction was to stop drinking altogether when God made things new for me. Even a taste of alcohol/wine is a no-no for me – not because of legalism but because I want to live a blameless life out of my love and relationship with Christ. If people see me still drinking and boasting about the Lord, I don’t think they will believe that there is genuine change. But like you, this is my personal conviction – a thing between me and God. Not even my boss (EVP) or the President of the company can force me to drink even in social gatherings (for the sake of fun or pleasing the clients) because of this solid conviction.

Reply
diane

September 17, 2009 at 10:34 am

i so get what you mean pastor p. =p there are times that when i refuse to go to a bar or club, it’s usually “blamed” on the fact that i’m a Christian… when actually i really don’t like the smell and the overwhelming noise of house music hahaha. as Christians it’s like being under a magnifying glass and sometimes everything we do may seem self-righteous to others. =p other times i also have choices that i make that came from bad experiences in the past and choose to stand by it and yep… constantly need His word, His grace and His strength to uphold it =)

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febs Asuncion

September 17, 2009 at 8:32 pm

That’s a great blog!! Rouel would always say ” I don’t need it” ” why would i drink” That’s true of what you’ve written “Just because he can,
doesn’t mean you can” Only God can put conviction in our hearts!
Keep up the good blog!!

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Mighty

September 24, 2009 at 7:21 am

I suppose drinking is one of those gray areas in the Bible. But if it is a stumbling block for other believers and to non-believers, then a Christian shouldn’t do it. nice post by the way. 🙂

Reply
malu Galang

September 30, 2009 at 1:23 am

That is what you call .. rebuke in LOVE. Well explained. ” Tamaan puwede magalit.. basta walang ilagan..” He.He..He..He…

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