Hi to all my Forum Friends,
In the discussion titled "Who Is To Blame - God Or You?" which I began several days ago, a relatively new Forum Friend, Jennifer, tells me, "This is another blind spot I see in you. Non-believers don't necessarily drink or "party." I don't, nor do my friends. I might have two drinks a year, and I said might. You're no different than anyone else, no more pious or righteous. When we gather with friends we love to eat, play games, talk, and socialize, and we don't need alcohol to have fun. The weakest drink there is hot tea, the strongest Coke Zero."
Once again, you are reading into my writing "what you want to believe I wrote" -- not what I wrote. Go back and reread my earlier post. You will find that, first, I tell about a friend, Richard, who told me that HE had more fun at Bible study than he ever had at a party, bar, or night club. And, I agreed that I, too, felt the same. No reference whatsoever to anyone else.
Then, I told of our New Years Eve Watch Service and that, on the way home I had told my wife, son, and daughter-in-law that besides having a wonderful time that evening -- the great benefit is that, tomorrow morning, I will not have a hang over -- except possibly from all the good food. Once again, no mention of anyone else getting drunk or whatever. I spoke only for myself and my family.
Yes, before I was a Christian, and especially before I married my wife -- I was a party-hardy guy -- wine, women, and song. But, praise God all that changed, starting with my new bride in 1977, and reaching completion when I became a Christian believer in
1987.
Do I believe it is wrong to drink an alcoholic beverage? No. I believe a drink is fine -- a drunk is bad. Personally, I love the taste of a smooth Chivas Regal on the rocks -- and I see nothing wrong with having one if the occasion arises. However, it has been about eight years since such an occasion has arisen -- and I have not missed it.
Do I believe it is wrong to have a drink? Not in itself. However, if my taking a drink would bother, or stumble, a Friend with me, or if it would send the wrong message to people observing -- then, in that case, it would be wrong. As a Christian I must always be aware that I am an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20) and I must act accordingly. And, as a Christian I must always be aware of not causing a weaker brother/sister in Christ to stumble because of my actions.
No, I do not believe that all non-believers drink or get drunk -- or do anything evil or wrong. The only problem with non-believers which I CAN say, without question or doubt, is that they do not have salvation. They do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ -- and, because of that, they are still on the wrong path, the path to eternal condemnation.
Next, you tell me, "Again you try to insist that non-believers are all heathens. I don't have friends that drink to any excess at all, and most don't drink anything alcoholic. I know people that drink, and I do mean to excess, and one of those would be a so called 'Christian.' He also cheats on his wife. But, it's ok I guess, he does go to church every time the door is open."
No, I do not believe that all non-believers are heathens. I have met many non-believers who are wonderful, gracious, and very good people. As a matter of fact, some of the nicest people I have met have been non-believers. But, the most important issue in anyone's life is not how good a person you are -- but, where will you spend eternity?
And, all my non-believing Friend are on the direct path to spending eternity, not in the presence of God, but, in the presence of Satan in hell. As a Christian believer this weighs heavy upon my heart. Can you imagine having a very good friend, or loved one, who has set himself/herself on the path to eternal destruction? Would this not weigh upon your heart since you know what is in store for them eternally -- and would you not tell them, "Please, stop, turn around. You are walking straight into hell; you are walking directly toward that eternal cliff where you will be lost forever. Please turn around and walk this way"?
This is what a Christian believer will do -- and this is what I try my best to do -- tell folks who do not know Jesus Christ, "He is the WAY; He is the TRUTH; He is the LIFE" (John 14:6). I must tell them, "Please follow the WAY!"
You tell me, "I know people that drink, and I do mean to excess, and one of those would be a so called 'Christian.' He also cheats on his wife. But, it's ok I guess, he does go to church every time the door is open."
Yes, I agree with you. If you had been on the Religion Forum over the last three plus years -- you would know that I have often written of people who wear the Christian Hat -- but, are not really Christian believers. Yes, many will wear the hat and go to church regularly. Why? For many it is the social thing to do; for many it is a way to network and build their business customer base; and, for many it is just a way to get out of the house and be around a lot of nice people. None of these reasons make a person a Christian.
The only thing which will make a person a Christian believer -- is to have a personal, saving relationship with Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). When a person does truly become a Christian believer, that person is indwelled and sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13, 4:30). That person is saved, has eternal security in Jesus Christ (John 6:47), that person no longer lives in condemnation (Romans 8:1), and that person's life WILL reflect the Christian "fruit" of his/her salvation.
Then, you tell me, "Pretending I believe in God, and it would be pretending, wouldn't make me happy."
That is true. If one is only pretending to be a Christian believer, he/she may be fooling a lot of people -- but, that person can NEVER fool himself or Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ sees into your heart and KNOWS your motivation and true self. No one can fool Him. So, no, pretending to be a Christian will never bring you true Christian happiness or eternal security.
Next, you sat to me, "I'd be like a lot of other people that have to pretend to believe or people like you would look 'down on them.'"
Jennifer, just because I tell you that you need Jesus Christ in your life -- does not mean that I am looking down upon you or judging you. I am just telling you what I KNOW to be true -- that no one can find true peace with God and eternal security unless they have Jesus Christ in his/her heart.
To me, a person who would look down upon you for not being a Christian believer -- is not a Christian believer, or is not acting like a Christian believer. For certain, this person is not a very mature Christian believer. And, that person will have to answer, one day, directly to Jesus Christ for this unChristian attitude and action.
However, a Christian believer who sees you on the path to eternal destruction, and does not tell you, also will have to answer for that neglect one day when he/she stand before our Lord Jesus Christ in judgment.
You tell me, "If you are truly happier believing that's fine. I don't need that crutch."
Jennifer, I do not personally know you; I do not know your age, nor if you are married and have children. But, if you do have children or one day will have children, or if someone else you dearly love -- has been in a horrible accident and is barely clinging to life -- will you turn to God and ask Him to save that loved one?
That is not a crutch! That is a life saving Anchor. That is stability in a very unstable world. And, He is ALWAYS standing at the door of your heart, waiting for you to invite Him to come in and be your very best Friend (Revelation 3:20). He wants to carry you on His shoulders across the hard times of life.
No, not a crutch -- but, a blessed Spiritual Anchor who will keep you from drifting into stormy waters -- a blessed Spiritual Rudder who will hold you steady on course as the secular storms beat against you -- and a blessed Spiritual Buoy who will always hold your head above the troubled waters of the world and of our secular society.
Finally, Jennifer, you tell me, "And unlike you I don't 'judge' people based on the fact they believe or don't believe. I take every person as they are, and I don't try to change them or tell them they're missing something in life."
Actually, Jennifer, you ARE judging me -- right now. In all of this post, you have been judging me. But, that is okay; for you have found me "guilty" of being a Christian believer -- you have found me "guilty" of caring about you so much that I will tell you that you are on the wrong eternal path -- you have found me "guilty" of having a deep Christian love for you and wanting sincerely to, one day, meet you in heaven. Yes, I am GUILTY!
Will I try to change your eternal path and point you toward Jesus Christ? Yes. Will I try, with all my heart, to be your Christian Friend? Yes.
Will I ever tell you that it is okay for you to be a non-believer and to deny Jesus Christ? No. For I know that YOUR eternal life is in the balance. If I saw a person laying injured on the street, would I just walk on past and not try to help? No. If I see a person walking through life on a direct course to eternal destruction, will I just walk on past and not try to help? No.
I can't! For my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has told me to be His witness in my Jerusalem (my family, my community - which includes the TimesDaily Religion Forum); in my Judea (my city, my state); in my Samaria (my country); and in all the world (Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15). Can I do less? And, He gave me further instructions in Matthew 28:19-20.
Jennifer, I realize that, at this time, you see me as an intruder, a person who wants to change your life. I know. I felt that same way for many years. In my younger days, come Friday night (or actually any night was a good party and bar night) -- don't tell me I am not having fun! Man, I am heading right to my favorite night club -- an evening of drinking, dancing, shooting pool, and seeking that one-night stand, that one night of brief pleasure.
But, to be honest with you -- I went home alone most of the time, tired, too much liquor -- and woke up the next day with a hang over and a craving for Mexican food to quench the fire in my stomach. But, later that evening -- I was ready to go again -- back on the "good time" carousel; in that constant search for the elusive happiness and peace of mind.
However, at that time, if anyone had told me that Jesus Christ was the only Way to find that elusive happiness and true peace of mind -- I would have laughed at him; just as many deride and laugh at me on the Religion Forum. Yet, one has to ask himself -- are they really scoffing at me? Or, at that feeling deep inside themselves, that feeling which we must not allow other people to see -- that feeling we must always keep covered with good times, parties, and one more ride on that "good time" carousel?
No, Jennifer, I am not saying this is your life. I am saying that was my life before I became a Christian believer. And, I am saying that I, Bill Gray, am not all that unique. I do not believe that God created Bill Gray and then threw away the mold. I know there are a lot of people just like the old Bill Gray -- who only need the right word, the right person, the right hand outstretched in Christian love -- to bring them out of that worldly life and into a life with Jesus Christ. With all my heart, I would like to be that right person, that hand outstretched in Christian love which will help you find the "peace with God through Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1) which I have found.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
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