I think I've come to the point where I'm more willing to live by my convictions without thinking twice about what other people think of what I'm doing. Maybe it's just a matter of really understanding why I do what I do. If I KNOW why I do what I do then I have less trouble explaining it in a way that doesn't make other people feel like I'm judging them.
I tend to think that it's the less grounded believers who seclude themselves. They don't know why they're doing what they're doing--or they think it's for some other reason than it really should be--so they insulate themselves from the world. There's a lot of fear there, a lot of insecurity. At least, that's where I've been during the times I felt like I had to heavily withdraw from any contact with "the world".
For instance, with drinking. I felt very convicted for a long time that I shouldn't ever ever drink alcohol. But I didn't really understand about freedom in Christ, and I was coming out of very nearly being addicted to alcohol. As a consequence I was VERY uncomfortable being around alcohol. Now that I'm older, and I understand where I need to draw the lines--not because of legalism, but because of who God wants me to be and the company I keep, I'm much more comfortable no matter who I'm around or what they're doing. Not that I *like* being around drunks ;) but really, I can let people do what they want to do without feeling SO CRUNCHY. You know?
I think new Christians are probably better off with a certain amount of exclusion for a while. When you're weak, it's easier to take a break from the world and grow a bit stronger in certain areas. I have no problem with that. Kellie is in a band that's looking for a lead guitarist... she'd REALLY like him to be a Christian because she's currently the only one in the group and she'd like some support in witnessing to the guys. But we talked about how hard it is to find one... you can't just walk up to the college campus and take any Christian male and place them into a group with OTHER college age guys who are drunks and sex addicts and just plain wild. Cause if you're weak in the Faith, then it might be doing you more harm than good. Anyway... that's just an example of what I'm thinking.
And just to clarify, you can have the personal conviction to abstain from alcohol and NOT be legalistic in doing so. Legalism, to me, is more about pushing those beliefs onto others.
I agree, except that a new christian, and a christian who isn't grounded (for lack of a better word) can be two different things. As a new christian I had a certain invulnerability to certain temptations because I was SO on fire.
Oh, absolutely!! And that's what I mean about knowing where to draw the line. The line for me doesn't happen to mean no alcohol ever, but it would be just as easy for me to live without drinking ever again.
I tend to think that it's the less grounded believers who seclude themselves. They don't know why they're doing what they're doing--or they think it's for some other reason than it really should be--so they insulate themselves from the world. There's a lot of fear there, a lot of insecurity. At least, that's where I've been during the times I felt like I had to heavily withdraw from any contact with "the world".
For instance, with drinking. I felt very convicted for a long time that I shouldn't ever ever drink alcohol. But I didn't really understand about freedom in Christ, and I was coming out of very nearly being addicted to alcohol. As a consequence I was VERY uncomfortable being around alcohol. Now that I'm older, and I understand where I need to draw the lines--not because of legalism, but because of who God wants me to be and the company I keep, I'm much more comfortable no matter who I'm around or what they're doing. Not that I *like* being around drunks ;) but really, I can let people do what they want to do without feeling SO CRUNCHY. You know?
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And just to clarify, you can have the personal conviction to abstain from alcohol and NOT be legalistic in doing so. Legalism, to me, is more about pushing those beliefs onto others.
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Oh, absolutely!! And that's what I mean about knowing where to draw the line. The line for me doesn't happen to mean no alcohol ever, but it would be just as easy for me to live without drinking ever again.
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