Beer and Jesus
Picture yourself at a backyard BBQ party.
There’s conversation and laughter
Kids are running around playing.
Many of the adults have a beer or a Mike’s Hard Lemonade in hand.
According to Scripture, is this a sinful picture?
When it comes to Christians and alcohol there are various points of view.
a. Satan made it and I don’t want it.
b. Satan made it but I secretly enjoy it.
c. God made it but I don’t want it.
d. God made it, I say I don’t want it, but I secretly enjoy it.
e. God made it and I enjoy it.
I used to be an option c guy.
Then an option d guy.
Now I’m an option e guy.
Why?
I read my bible.
It changed my mind.
Like Deuteronomy 14:26.
Or Psalm 104:14-15
Or John 2: 1-11
And many more.
Then there’s Jesus.
I love Jesus.
He’s my Savior and my great example.
He drank.
See Matthew 11:19.
And it wasn’t mere grape juice.
Jesus also never sinned.
2+2=4
I can do what Jesus did.
It’s a problem to apply our morality to Jesus.
It actually works the other way around.
Jesus is better than religion.
But we do have a few guidelines.
Don’t get hammered.
Be of legal drinking age.
Don’t make it your god.
And in all things, love others.
Because living free isn’t just about what we can do.
It’s who we can love along the way.
So let’s go back to the original picture.
The BBQ.
There’s conversation and laughter
Kids are running around playing.
Many of the adults have a beer or a Mike’s Hard in hand.
According to Scripture, is this a sinful picture?
Assuming we’re loving God and people, no.
It’s actually a wonderful picture of community the way God intended it.
A little drop of Isaiah 25: 6-9
So whether you drink or not, it doesn’t matter much to me.
You have a conscious.
Follow it.
But it’s not the voice of a preacher, parent, or your old youth pastor.
It’s the Spirit of God inside of you.
I could say more but I’ll leave it at this:
You’re free to worship God and enjoy his creation.
And if you do drink a beer or sip some wine, remember 1 Corinthians 10:31:
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Enjoy your beer knowing God is the great Brew Master.
Just do it in love.
Awesome, awesome post dude. I too would be an Option E kinda guy. God most definitely made it and I enjoy it.
The problem in the church today are the people who are option B or D. It’s that kind of hypocrisy that is destroying the church and our testimony. I don’t have the least problem with someone who won’t drink because of conscience or because they know there’s too much of a chance they will become addicted. What I DO have a problem with are the people who try to keep it all “hush-hush” for fear of what others may think. That most definitely does not line up with what I read in the Bible.
Great post.
great blog. i use to play alot of shows at bars, and being a worship minister, caught alot of flack from church people. about a month ago, i went to see a band at our local wine room, and was surprised to see a ton of people from our church in there having wine. its funny how many christians are secretly D and E.
Hmmmm… I think I’m a letter “C-and-half”… God made it and I can’t stand it! LOL!
I like your thoughts. Even though I can’t stand the stuff, I try not to judge those that have acquired the taste for it. It’s not a problem for me, and that’s a good thing. My denomination’s district license says it can’t be a problem.
Bonus points for the good scripture references!
@Brad- You and I are from the same school of thought. I have zero issues with people abstaining if that’s what they’re conscience is saying. It’s the saying one thing and doing another that is the issue. It’s not living free that’s for sure.
@Dave – I have similar stories. I love moments like that.
@Shawn – I would never say not to honor your agreement with your denomination. So don’t worry about me buying you a bottle of wine. Maybe instead I’ll get you a bag of coffee beans or something.
Great post!
Know that you are loved,
gaj
I am an option E guy as well!
A definition, for fundamentalism, I recently formulated in a sunday school class I was teaching is this: A fundamentalist is someone who thinks their conscience is on par with the Word of God and their for their pointing finger becomes the Holy Spirit which they use to inflict their interpretation of Scripture on everyone else!
Thanks for the honesty and leading the discussion!
Cheers!
Jason – you don’t have an option for me and a lot of people similar to me. We have a guy going thru the enormous stage of trying to get off the addiction of drink. He started out as a ’social’ drinker. It now consumes him. He is being genuinely loved by people in my church to encourage him – without judgement – to get a relationship with Jesus – and that relationship will be stronger than his relationship with alcohol. He’s nearly there…can you pray for him readers? Please? Thing is, I have never taken drink. Tasted it, yes. The denomination I belong to are alcohol free. We sign up. It’s a free choice. It has become a burden to some – and I am pleased when those who are so burdened have left our church and found another. I’m cool with that. It means that Jesus still reigns in their hearts. But I cannot bring myself to stand in front of my friend who is trying to get off this addiction – and say to him “Y’know what? I’m OK with this drinking. And yes there are loads of ‘drinking’ references in Holy Scripture – but as for you dear friend, you will have to go it alone; get off the drink on your own; ‘cos while you’re getting smashed because of your addiction (which has cost you your family, your job, trouble with the law, and left you destitute and almost without a roof over your head) I will just go ahead and drink alcohol in front of you (or secretly back home, so I don’t ‘upset you’) and I’ll drink and quote Scripture that says it’s ok to do so!!” Sorry dear readers, I cannot be that cruel. It isn’t showing the LOVE of CHRIST to my friend. He will always be (as AA say) ‘just 1 drink away from being an Alcoholic’. I know plenty like my friend who have over the years finally submitted to Christ and said ‘goodbye’ to the demon drink. That’s my case friends. That’s why I am a Salvationist. There. I’ve said it. I am happy for you to be ‘moderate’. But I also pray that when you are drinking you will remember the folks around you that watch you. Please don’t do tiddly. Don’t do ’smashed’. Stay moderate. And when the storms come – as they surely will – please resist the temptation to ‘just have another one’ ‘cos that’s what my friend did. I’m cool about visiting drinking establishments – that’s where Jesus said some of His best stuff; that’s where the people need Him to be. And I have to represent Him. I have loads of friends who work in our SA Hostels and Addiction Centres – I support them by not drinking. It’s my choice. I’m happy to do it. Bless you for reading. I just hope I’ve made you think. And you are now aware that there is another catagory – how about: ‘SA’ ? I respect your position dear moderate drinking Christians – please respect my friend Jesus, and HIS claims upon my addicted friend. Blessings and Grace to you. Rob
Rob –
I wrote,
“And in all things, love others.
Because living free isn’t just about what we can do.
It’s who we can love along the way.”
I respect your decision to abstain and even more, the fact that you’re doing so compelled by love.
I’m not saying option e is the only one. I was simply stating that it is one.
Grace and peace to you amigo.