I did vote no. While I was growing up I watched my dad's brother die an alcoholic death. It was lonely! It was painful! It was hard on family to watch. Then my sister-in-law became a closet drinker and had a liver transplant a few years ago as a result. She came very close to the grave. Thankfully God rescued her, my uncle and our family from the dreadful disease of alcoholism. My husband died as a result of alcoholism and complications from other addictions.
Do I believe it is okay to have a drink? Not for me it isn't. I used to drink. I partied and drank with the best of them to the pits of hell. I used to do things I never even want to remember under the influence because all inhibitions were gone and I was more daring in my judgments and choices. For me the day I stopped drinking (father's day, 1981) was the best day of my life. I didn't do it for religious purposes though I am sure GOD has been glorified in my about face and my former father-in-law turned his life around as a direct result and he reckoned with God finally. I will say that I know that God permits some but for me it is a down right sin in most cases to drink. There are always people looking on such as my youngest brother when I started and never in my wildest dreams did I believe I could influence anyone but it did. As sad as it is, I have a lot on my conscience and a lot that has gone that was a direct result of starting to drink socially. Would I if I drink if I were in a cultural situation where it would be more offensive not to? Yes I would have the table manners and become all things to all men that I might win some. Will God put me in a situation like that? Probably not because HE is the one who requires out of me not to drink and I honor that over above doctrine, health reasons, social reasons and any other reason. I have so many reasons not to drink alcoholic beverages but that doesn't make me better than those who do choose to have a drink now and then. Enough sermons from me.
Do I believe it is okay to have a drink? Not for me it isn't. I used to drink. I partied and drank with the best of them to the pits of hell. I used to do things I never even want to remember under the influence because all inhibitions were gone and I was more daring in my judgments and choices. For me the day I stopped drinking (father's day, 1981) was the best day of my life. I didn't do it for religious purposes though I am sure GOD has been glorified in my about face and my former father-in-law turned his life around as a direct result and he reckoned with God finally. I will say that I know that God permits some but for me it is a down right sin in most cases to drink. There are always people looking on such as my youngest brother when I started and never in my wildest dreams did I believe I could influence anyone but it did. As sad as it is, I have a lot on my conscience and a lot that has gone that was a direct result of starting to drink socially. Would I if I drink if I were in a cultural situation where it would be more offensive not to? Yes I would have the table manners and become all things to all men that I might win some. Will God put me in a situation like that? Probably not because HE is the one who requires out of me not to drink and I honor that over above doctrine, health reasons, social reasons and any other reason. I have so many reasons not to drink alcoholic beverages but that doesn't make me better than those who do choose to have a drink now and then. Enough sermons from me.
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