Month: October 2018

I do not drink alcohol anymore.  I am a  Christian..  Now….. a response like that certainly requires some explanation.  First of all, nowhere in scripture is the consumption of alcoholic beverages called out as a sin.  As a matter of fact, it is well known that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ turned water into wine.(John 2:1-11) I don’t believe it is really relevant on the strength of the wine, as some people may argue. The fact is, scripture tells us it was wine. It was not grape juice, or a Fanta grape soda.  It was wine.. So no……The Bible nowhere condemns the consumption of alcohol. The Bible is however quite clear on drunkenness, you don’t get drunk, period.(Ephesians 5:18, Galatians 5:21)

When I was in high school, I drank. Sometimes I drank a lot. I grew up in Louisiana where the legal drinking age at the time was 18. I was legally able to drink. Was I sinning?  When I was drunk, that answer would be yes. And, I rarely drank without getting plastered. And often times my behavior when I was drunk or even sober at times……..let’s say I am still ashamed of many things that I did. So absolutely.. My behavior during those times, I was sinning.

I continued my drinking ways when I went to college.  I attended a college where the consumption of any amount of alcohol was strictly forbidden. Though drinking by itself is not a sin, willful defiance of authority and drunkenness is.   The punishment if you were caught drinking at this school was suspension.  I was never caught.  Not a bragging point, just a fact.  If it were not for some caring friends, I would have been caught. When I say I was never caught, I mean school officials never “caught” me.  God did, and He certainly didn’t let me get away with anything.  Especially on one mid May night that was almost fatal. 

On that infamous May night, God spared my life, and that of a close friend. Stupid decisions could have been eternally fatal.  Because of a horrific alcohol related auto accident, he was nearly killed, and I escaped with minor injuries. The insurance adjuster indicated how fortunate I was to escape major injury. I wasn’t driving, he was. But, that would have mattered little had one, or both of us been killed, and we both nearly were.  We were both very drunk.   At the time, I doubt I was truly saved.  I didn’t really understand Christ offer of salvation by faith alone at the time. I was trying to ‘earn‘ my way to Heaven, as if that were possible (hint, it isn’t).   But that wasn’t the time I decided to avoid alcohol, though it would have been a good time.

My next shameful act involving alcohol occurred at a Christmas party several years later.  A friend (different friend) and I had been invited by a former employer to their annual Christmas party.  They had an open bar, which is never a good thing.  I, sadly, took full advantage of it. I couldn’t find enough to drink, and probably not enough people to annoy and offend.  That night was certainly not my crowning moment.  I owe a few people an apology.  That too sadly, was not when I decided to avoid alcohol.  And even then, I don’t believe I truly knew Christ as savior.

Let’s back up a bit.  I grew up in church.  I went to church 3 times a week, and   baptized when I was a child. But church attendance and baptism is not what saves, Christ alone is.     

I had struggled with my Christianity, and assurance of my salvation for years. It  wasn’t until I listened to teachings of wise, learned men like Charles Stanley, Chuck Swindoll, Max Lucado and others, I understood and accepted Christ teaching of  salvation by faith alone. 

One summer night in August of 1996 was the last time I have been drunk.  I was at a place no child of God should ever be, and I acted shamefully. God didn’t let my conscience slide by on what I had done, and when it came to getting drunk, He finally got my attention.

It was soon after that time that I began to decide either I was going to be a serious Christian, or I wasn’t. Was I saved then, maybe, but I wasn’t pleasing to God. My behavior that night was reprehensible on so many levels.  But even still, though I had quit getting drunk, I had not quit my drinking for good.

I have certainly since that August night committed my share of sins and will continue to do so until the day of redemption, when Christ work is complete in me. (see Philippians 1:6, the apostle Paul speaks on Christ completing His work)

Once in a while I used to enjoy a cold Corona with lime while eating pizza or just out and about town. And I probably still would today. I wasn’t getting drunk, just enjoying a cold beer.  But I realized it was happening way too often. So I began thinking on this. What if my neighbor, or coworker sees me? What will they think? They might think I am just another hypocritical Christian who goes to church on Sunday, then gets drunk on Saturday. They may not know I wasn’t drunk if they saw me. Why even make someone think I may be sinning if I can help it?  God expects better of me if I am to reach the lost.  So for that reason, around 2006 or 2007 I decided to avoid alcohol.  Baby steps for me to try to avoid sin, or its appearance.