Was I wrong?

[OrthodoxServant10]

I was hanging around with some of my old high school friends and they came by and visited me. They are Christians and they regularly go to Church to Wednesdays and Sundays. They've been changing since I first begun to hang out with them, drinking,partying, driving around where I live drunk at night. They tried to justify the reason for their drinking by saying that "Jesus was a drunkard, So why can't I drink?" As a Christian, I was kind of baffled and appalled. They tried to force me to drink, but naturally I refused cause I'm stubborn on my faith. I tried arguing and saying that "Jesus wasn't a drunkard" and elaborated a bit. Was I completely wrong? They started laughing at me

 

[SmileAndAHandshake]

Umm... all right: I am the most liberal Christian you will ever, ever meet. And not even I would ever say "Jesus was a drunkard, so obviously we can all drink."

Did Jesus drink? Probably, in my opinion. Jesus was accused of being a drunkard in Matthew 11:19 [The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners."]. Accusations like that may have been designed to discredit Jesus, when in fact it really only brings more credit to his character. Jesus was here for the common people of everyday activities, and he moved among them. Most likely he would have also partaken in activities of the day that would have involved drinking and eating (remember that the term "glutton" actually only means "one who overeats on occasion").

Don't get me wrong.. I don't mind drinking, I think drinking is fine, although I myself have put it aside in more recent times. However, to justify it through Jesus? Give me a break...


It is actually mostly just in modern American religion that the consumption of alcohol was a "sin". As a Jew, Jesus would not have been prohibited from drinking alcohol, and wine was an extremely common beverage. It stands to reason that yes, Jesus drank.. as did many people.

But that isn't to say "Because Jesus may have done it, we should all do it, and Jesus was a drunkard". Instead, all it says is "Jesus stood side by side with the common people," and that in my opinion is a good thing of great value.


Anyway... drinking, like anything else, should be done in moderation. Anything done to excess can often be negative. It's just a matter of judgment.

Your friends' argument however is shallow and empty with very little to back it up.

 

[Hog Red]

i would say they may be neither Christian nor your friend. I have a good friend of mine who thought drinking was ok too until he became an alcoholic. He has spent the majority of his life fighting to stay sober. kinda like smoking, what's the point.

 

[E.C.]

I think if he were a good friend than they would respect you enough to not come home completely drunk.

I think you were in the right here.

 

[Slider1]

Many of my 'christian' friends from youth group when I was 14-16 went down the same path, after highschool quit going to youth and church altogether, and now, although they may call themselves 'christian' are really doing nothing to strengthen their faith or honor God with their lives. Will Jesus say "well done good and faithful servant" to them? I don't know. Only God knows this. To me it seems more like "they acknowledge Me with their lips but their hearts are far from Me" ...(however I can't really know this, this is only my guess by looking at their lifestyles).
Personally I've had to cut back on my time hanging out with these people, and i've started spending more time with some of the people in my church who still attend, who are stronger in their faith, and also non-christians, who don't pretend to be someone they're not.

 

[explodingboy]

Ain't nothing wrong with drinking.. but there is a difference the size of Texas between drinking and being a Drunkard.

 

[YoDude]

Sounds like you were more offended by their cavalier attitudes and insensitivity than the drinking itself. They were acting foolish and picking on you in their little stupor, you were sober, so you were the natural target of their ribbing. You don't have to apologize for being a more upright and cautious personality, they attempted to shame you into joining their party, they really wanted you to drink with them, and when you didn't, they turned against you - they were intoxicated, though, so it may have come off a little nastier than intended.

Maybe you have grown apart from these guys; 'oh they are so much fun, and you are just a great big wet blanket'; I mean really, anyone could have joined that party, standing firm is not always fun or easy. If you don't want to participate in the drinking, you may have to steer clear of those fellas, people often do grow apart and change after high school.

 

[Brother-Ruben]

You were completely in the right!! Jesus was fully human and fully God; Tempted in every way, yet sinless; He drank, but was never drunk. He was "accused" of being a drunkard. Apparently there is nothing new under the sun. Stand strong in your faith!

 

[Rhamiel]

and just because Jesus drank wine, that does not mean you have to drink
i do not think having a drink or two is a sin, getting drunk is a sin, but even Jesus drank wine
but we should NEVER mock our brothers and sisters in Christ who decide that they do not want to drink
I am so sorry that your old friends are bothering you
oh, kind of off topic but are you a coptic?

 

[cloudstrife007]

Good on you for standing firm to what you believe the bible teaches brother.

The bible tells us that we have true freedom, but at the same time, we shouldn't abuse or misuse our freedom. More so we shouldn't be stumbling blocks to those whose faith isn't firm yet. There's no guarantee that we can stay conscious and straight from drinking. Even if we drink alot and can stay conscious, it can be a huge stumbling for others who can't control themselves when drinking.
Are we being loving if we cause others to stumble? I can hardly think it's possible.

When you do take up your cross, it seems that you no longer live for yourself, but for Christ. And we know Christ lived for others, not for Himself.