The scriptures tell us Christians have freedom in Christ. We aren’t under the Mosaic Law, and we are no longer slaves to Christ. But this freedom comes with responsibility. The Apostle Paul writes frequently about both, reminding us not to be slaves to our freedom—either by using it to justify sin, or by using it in a cavalier fashion which might endanger others spiritually.
Walking that line isn’t easy.
In recent years I have noticed one particular example of this which I find particularly troubling.
When I became a Christian, we Christians didn’t drink alcohol. We understood drinking wasn’t a sin in and of itself, but we also believed we could easily harm ourselves and others by drinking. When I was in college, drinking alcohol was grounds for expulsion. A minister found to use alcohol would be dismissed from ministry, and abstaining from drinking was a requirement for eldership in most churches.
We were legalistic about alcohol.
Over the years, we have grown in our understanding that drinking alcohol isn’t always wrong. We have relaxed our legalism to the point that many Christians openly drink—hosting wine tasting parties, serving beer at gatherings, even giving bourbon as birthday gifts. I am bemused at the number of facebook posts showing Christians drinking, or expressing someone’s (a Christian) desire for a margarita, a beer, or a fine wine in order to deal with the stress of the day.
But where did this change come from?
I am not aware of any great debates, any seminars or scriptural studies which brought us to this openness. Instead, the change has come for one simple reason—we are more influenced by the world around us than we used to be. And with that comes danger. It is common for me to meet with people who claim to belong to Christ who use alcohol for recreation—or even medication. I have had to actually set policies regarding drinking at church events. And yet, people within the church seem to be moving inexorably toward an assumption that alcohol is a necessary part of life.
Please understand, I am not suggesting we all revert to a tea-totaling legalism. But perhaps it is time for us to take a hard look at our attitudes toward alcohol—and particularly toward our own use of it. Maybe we should first ask how our King sees our use of alcohol. Our decisions should be based on loyalty to Him rather than fitting in with the world—or even what we desire. Alcoholic drinks should no longer be the focus of celebrations or entertainments—and certainly not the primary manner in which we deal with our problems.
We have freedom in Christ, but with that freedom comes responsibility.
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