I AM A TEETOTALER. For myself, I abstain completely from all alcohol. I come from a past of drug and alcohol abuse and so I have been convicted to never touch it. But for some that do not have the same past as I do, I believe they are at liberty to have a glass of wine or occasional beer. Scripture does not mandate that you abstain completely. But here’s where things get tricky, your freedom can be another man’s bondage back into sin.
If you cause another to drink by your words, actions or continuous FB posts showing your alcoholic drinks; you are in sin. Please listen carefully, you are not free to live as you want. The liberty that Christ gives is a freedom from the enemy and the bondage of sin, not freedom to sin or cause another to sin.
I see many Christians that posts drinking pictures, or them at a bar or beer fest. You do not know who is following you. Someone with an alcoholic past sees your example and says, “this person is drinking! I guess it’s ok”. You have just caused your brother to stumble and sin. The drunkard is shut out of the kingdom of God, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
You will have to answer for your negligent ways. You are your brother’s keeper. We are to “abstain from the appearance of all evil”. If something I do causes my brother to sin; I will never do it again. This is true love- to prefer others above myself and sacrifice my own wants and desires for the clean conscience of my brother in Christ. But, “fools hate knowledge and reject the fear of the Lord”. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. If the boot fits- repent of your autonomous ways and seek forgiveness from God and go and humble yourself to your brother. God desires for us to live at peace. #runyourrace
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page
