Christians for Beer!?

[Leslie Jebaraj]

I recently joined the group, Christians for Beer, on Facebook. Though I don't drink, I joined the group just to showcase the freedom that Christians have in Christ.

In America I know that some would still judge you for drinking beer. And in India, it is un-thinkable. I mean, beer and Christians don't mix. It is considered a sin, and a big one at that.

And beer is just an illustration of the legalism that abounds in some Christian circles. Movies, cigars, cards, dance, are just some of the other taboos among Christians.

Now, how does one who has come to understand grace begin to share the freedom in Christ to those who are unwittingly bound by the shackle of legalism?

[Seismic Mike Lewis]

Obviously this is the modern incarnation of the weaker/stronger brother dilemma Paul spoke of. And my answer is simple, think of the other's interest before your own. Selfishness is the worst killer here. We have liberty in Christ, and anything we can worship God while doing is ok. Paul said, "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable." We are free from men, we are free from everything but God (saving that we have the Biblical command to obey earthly authority). But our freedom should not be our focus. When our focus becomes getting as much as we can because we're free, we've broken the system, because Christianity isn't about the individual and about what we can get. It's about the community and our worship/communion with God. If we destroy that, it doesn't matter what we do. The community ought to be our focus.

Yeah, sure, so if the whole church suddenly realizes that alcohol is ok, then we'd be able to do it free of judgment, but that ought not be our goal.

[ScottL]

Leslie, maybe we have moved a little off from the original question - 'How does one who has come to understand grace begin to share the freedom in Christ to those who are unwittingly bound by the shackle of legalism?'

I guess we have looked more at guarding against being selfish rather than graciously helping people who are bound in legalism come to a full understanding of their freedom in Christ. I use the word 'full' because I think freedom in Christ is more about freedom from any bondages of sin, wrong thought patterns, etc. But legalistic rule keeping can be one bad fruit of not knowing our freedom in Christ.

Anyways, maybe we can answer your initial question more.

[Leslie Jebaraj]

I totally agree with Scott that freedom in Christ is not just "freedom from any bondages of sin, wrong thought patterns, etc." I think it is basically a grace-filled lifestyle.

But the thing that bothers me is this: How long are we to please a weaker brother/sister? The more we please them just to avoid hurting them, I think we do damage to their possiblity to come to terms with the freedom that is theirs. However, I do realize that every Christian is unique, and that each situation has to be handled differently.

[Michael Patton]

They just need to read Grace Awakening and follow by the Swindollian dictum: "You don't look in my frige and I won't look in yours."

[Leslie Jebaraj]

Isn't high time that every Christian has a copy of
The Grace Awakening!

[ScottL]

Leslie -

Good question - How long are we to please a weaker brother/sister? The more we please them just to avoid hurting them, I think we do damage to their possibility to come to terms with the freedom that is theirs.

As we all know, each person/situation is different. Though there are some that 'flaunt' their freedom, we can also probably assume their are some that 'flaunt' their personal convictions. I have a testimony or two in my own life of flaunting my convictions in my more legalistic days. And I am glad for my 'spiritual father' having grace enough to be patient but also the willingness to challenge me. I distinctly remember him saying one day, 'Scott, I just need to take you fishin' out on the lake and get you drunk.' :) He wasn't being literal, he was making a point.

Anyways, there is a time and place in which appeasing the 'weaker' person's convictions will get old and stale, meaning that there is obviously no life being breathed every time certain issues are discussed. If it is someone we very rarely see, or meet once, I wouldn't spend the energy 'convincing', since we don't already have an open door into their life. But if it is those we regularly relate to, and even have a mentoring role over, we will, at the right time, need to address the legalistic convictions. And it isn't all for the sake of them being able to go out and have a beer (though that might be helpful), but it is all about them coming into the full freedom that Christ provides in our lives - from sin, from perfectionism, and other such evil roots.

One final practical thing to consider is that, if we who take part in things that others might consider 'sinful' (certain movies, beer, certain music, etc), but we show that we are truly and authentically seeking God, then I believe that will have an impact on seeing them come through. I have seen that with my own friends. They start to question - 'I thought drinking beer was a sin. But here is my friend whom I love and I know that they are pursuing God with their life, but they are also enjoying a beer. Maybe it isn't a sin. Maybe I have just built up a legalistic belief.'

Something of that sort.

[Leslie Jebaraj]

Scott, I think you hit the nail on the head!

ScottL said:

Leslie -

Good question - How long are we to please a weaker brother/sister? The more we please them just to avoid hurting them, I think we do damage to their possibility to come to terms with the freedom that is theirs.

As we all know, each person/situation is different. Though there are some that 'flaunt' their freedom, we can also probably assume their are some that 'flaunt' their personal convictions. I have a testimony or two in my own life of flaunting my convictions in my more legalistic days. And I am glad for my 'spiritual father' having grace enough to be patient but also the willingness to challenge me. I distinctly remember him saying one day, 'Scott, I just need to take you fishin' out on the lake and get you drunk.' :) He wasn't being literal, he was making a point.

Anyways, there is a time and place in which appeasing the 'weaker' person's convictions will get old and stale, meaning that there is obviously no life being breathed every time certain issues are discussed. If it is someone we very rarely see, or meet once, I wouldn't spend the energy 'convincing', since we don't already have an open door into their life. But if it is those we regularly relate to, and even have a mentoring role over, we will, at the right time, need to address the legalistic convictions. And it isn't all for the sake of them being able to go out and have a beer (though that might be helpful), but it is all about them coming into the full freedom that Christ provides in our lives - from sin, from perfectionism, and other such evil roots.

One final practical thing to consider is that, if we who take part in things that others might consider 'sinful' (certain movies, beer, certain music, etc), but we show that we are truly and authentically seeking God, then I believe that will have an impact on seeing them come through. I have seen that with my own friends. They start to question - 'I thought drinking beer was a sin. But here is my friend whom I love and I know that they are pursuing God with their life, but they are also enjoying a beer. Maybe it isn't a sin. Maybe I have just built up a legalistic belief.'

Something of that sort.