pdpilgrim78
Member
Let me start off by stating, I was raised under somewhat strict beliefs that alchohol was absolutely evil and not to be consumed period. When I was of age to make my own mistakes, I jumped at the opportunity and found out that I really quite enjoyed alchohol, so much so that I soon developed a taste for it. Making a long story short, I enjoyed doing what I wanted when I wanted, said my so longs and left God in the rearview mirror.
7 years ago, I found that God had been pursuing me in my sin, and He graciously and miracously saved my soul. He pulled me from the pit I was in, cleansed me and set me on a new path with new desires.
This all leads into my question.
Since being saved, I knew from the moment I walked away from the altar I was at that I was not to partake of alchohol..... period. This was not a command from the pulpit, or the gentle whispers of those who would subsequently pray with and for me. It was something I knew intrinsically.
Now the confusion arised in seeing others who seemingly had every bit as a sincere relationship with Christ that were partaking in alchohol.
I had naturally assumed that because Christ removed that specific thing from me, that it was a generalization that applied to all. And it fell in line with what I was taught growing up. I now question that initial assumption. I see far too often a hard line stance to issues such as drinking, and if you partake, you're outside the church. I believe this comes from a lack of compassion, but I guess that's a secondary issue to the one i'm inquiring about.
This is not an attempt to justify me picking up the bottle again, thank Jesus, I still have no desire to dive back into that. But it's more out of a sincere curiosity. I'd love to hear your insight. I've heard many arguments regarding the references to wine in the Bible implies a lack of fermentation, a simple interpretation of wine simply being 'fruit of the vine', so I'm looking for those who have studied into this and your conclusions.
7 years ago, I found that God had been pursuing me in my sin, and He graciously and miracously saved my soul. He pulled me from the pit I was in, cleansed me and set me on a new path with new desires.
This all leads into my question.
Since being saved, I knew from the moment I walked away from the altar I was at that I was not to partake of alchohol..... period. This was not a command from the pulpit, or the gentle whispers of those who would subsequently pray with and for me. It was something I knew intrinsically.
Now the confusion arised in seeing others who seemingly had every bit as a sincere relationship with Christ that were partaking in alchohol.
I had naturally assumed that because Christ removed that specific thing from me, that it was a generalization that applied to all. And it fell in line with what I was taught growing up. I now question that initial assumption. I see far too often a hard line stance to issues such as drinking, and if you partake, you're outside the church. I believe this comes from a lack of compassion, but I guess that's a secondary issue to the one i'm inquiring about.
This is not an attempt to justify me picking up the bottle again, thank Jesus, I still have no desire to dive back into that. But it's more out of a sincere curiosity. I'd love to hear your insight. I've heard many arguments regarding the references to wine in the Bible implies a lack of fermentation, a simple interpretation of wine simply being 'fruit of the vine', so I'm looking for those who have studied into this and your conclusions.
