I wish my faith was something positive but its not (Full Version)

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FatElvis -> I wish my faith was something positive but its not (7/9/2008 11:46:08 AM)

I wish my faith was something positive but its not
I am here out of fear
God puts a choice before each of us
Read JOHN 12:25

He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal

So that’s is your choice enjoy life and go to hell or deny yourself life and go to heaven
As a Christian you have nothing to look forward to except death
There is no abundant life
It would be nice to met a god who loves us who cares about us and is on are side
But it’s all turn or burn
When I used to go to the luthern church sometimes they would ask me to invite people to church
Or to tell them the good news
I thought what is the good news ?
Tell them what you have experienced here
A life of isolation loneliness anxiety and depression ?
I am supposed to tell people to stop enjoying there life ?
Some of My sins have caused me a world of grief but the others wellthose fleeting moments of pleasure gave meaing to my life was was good it was to be enjoyed But as a Christian well funs over and I don’t know how to get my mind around the big book of don’ts
Don’t like girls
Don’t go to parties
Don’t laugh at that joke
Don’t listen to that song
If I was trading my old life for something better then I would shout it from the mountain tops
But its not



JimboFletch -> RE: I wish my faith was something positive but its not (7/9/2008 11:50:07 AM)

quote:

So that’s is your choice enjoy life and go to hell or deny yourself life and go to heaven

I thoroughly enjoy life, even with its ups and downs. I'm adopted into the Kingdom and am a joint heir with Christ. He has been with me since He redeemed me 41 years ago and I wouldn't trade my life with the richest, partyingest lost person on the planet.



crankius -> RE: I wish my faith was something positive but its not (7/9/2008 12:09:37 PM)

This is what Jesus said:

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Mt 13:44


What do you think Jesus meant by this?



Liveloved -> RE: I wish my faith was something positive but its not (7/9/2008 12:14:44 PM)

quote:

I am here out of fear


This is a true statement indeed. Fear is the ONLY place one can be apart from Christ. He died so that we would be set free from fear, the fear of sin and death. That is freedom. That is life, LIFE, as in His life.

I would suggest that you read the gospel of John. Ask Jesus to show Himself to you. He wants to. He longs to. He only needs the opportunity, your invitation.

He will come to you and He will show you that He is living water. . . not stale, stagnant, putrid cistern water that this life has to offer. You have not found life enjoyable yet because you have not met the author of all JOY, Jesus. He came to give you abundant joy. And He will. That is the longing of His heart for you. I pray you read John's gospel and invite Jesus to come to you.

You will be shouting from the housetops with great joy if you do! Bless you![:)] LL



e.barrett -> RE: I wish my faith was something positive but its not (7/9/2008 12:33:44 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: FatElvis

well funs over and I don’t know how to get my mind around the big book of don’ts
Don’t like girls
Don’t go to parties
Don’t laugh at that joke
Don’t listen to that song

I'm sorry that you're going through all of those things and that you find it all pointless. I can certainly understand why you would feel God doesn't provide hope or joy. Especially if you think you can't laugh or have fun.

I'm not sure who told you that being a Christian required any of those things. But that's certainly not where God is. God wants us to enjoy life, but that's not his primary concern. His primary concern is that we know him. If you're looking for a god who gives you nothing but "worldly" pleasures, you're not going to be satisfied with God, because that's not how he operates.

Sometimes when we do the right thing, God just gives us something that’s more difficult. This is what Paul experienced after testifying in Jerusalem. His reward was to be sent to Rome to do it again! (Acts 11: 23)

And yet Paul was happy to do it.

Why?

Because Paul’s definition of freedom was different than the world’s. He knew that the closer to God he moved, the freer he became. The more life he had. That’s what that verse in John means. When we try to hold on to our lives so tightly we end up throwing them away. The way to be happy, to live eternally, is to do the opposite of what the world says, and live our lives loving other people sacrificially.

Are we really free when we’re addicted to drugs, gambling, or sex? Are we really free when we’re consumed with wanting more stuff? Or are we really free when we give up those things, and trust God?



drussell52 -> RE: I wish my faith was something positive but its not (7/9/2008 12:33:55 PM)

Your statements say alot. I would challenge you in addition to what is said here to take your bible, a lexicon and define the word Gospel by thinking what words describe Gospel. Your turn and burn may then become live and love. The affects of sin are death, the affects of living, loving, honesty, integrity, being intentional, are life; may you find Him who authors life, your life. I value your honesty and hope you can turn things around.



LCannon -> RE: I wish my faith was something positive but its not (7/9/2008 12:43:15 PM)

An Overflowing Cup-"The Lord is gracious and compassionate.: good to all... faithful to all his promises... loving toward all he has made.... righteous in all his ways.... near to all who call on him....watches over all who love him....My mouth will speak in praise of thy Glory" (from Psalm 145).

As the years pass my heart swells. How to express the joy and gratitude for the daily evidence of your provision? I thank God for all the saints whose lives have demonstrated what it means to be redeemed by your cross and the victory spent upon it. I wouldn’t trade my life experience for it has illuminated and deepened my yearning for you. Yet your providence is a puzzle to me, Lord, for your ways are not my ways.

I can’t say I’m thankful for my circumstance and I’ve told you so. Your answer was short and blunt, as I am, reserving my “immediate self” because the third prong of my trident is trust, trust in the blood of your Son. So, where does that leave me? Hanging and enduring for the next 30 years? The richness and fullness of your wide imagination and the liberty of obedience to your cross is glorious not the limitation of bitterness and the isolation of tolerance."

Try this: Read Paul's epistle to the Ephesians, a chapter a day, aloud. Write on your bookmark in bold letters,Obedience. Rest a day(Sunday?) then repeat the same routine, aloud again, only flip your bookmark over and write Unity.



Zhi -> RE: I wish my faith was something positive but its not (7/9/2008 5:05:53 PM)

Mmm.

God tells us not to do certain things because they can destroy us, and because He has something better. It's not "don't like girls", it's "save the expression of ultimate love for the girl who God has destined to be your mate for life". It's not "don't go to parties", it's "go to parties that don't involve things like drinking and driving, drugs, etc, which destroy your body and your mind". It's not "don't laugh at that joke" or "don't listen to that song", it's "don't pollute your mind with things that make it difficult for you to live a healthy life". There are plenty of jokes and songs that are healthy.

God does not want us to be lonely... He wants us to be with Him forever! Here on this earth, He wants us to "forsake not the assembling of ourselves together". We are to interact, to love each other. We might not be great at this all the time, but we should certainly make the effort.

When Jesus says that we are to "hate" our life in this world, He doesn't mean that we're supposed to go through every day miserable... He's saying that we should recognize that our life is not a life for this world... it's a life that's eternal, a life that's for God. We aren't to cling to this life as if it's the only thing we have, we are to be looking forward, joyfully, to what's coming, we're to be living joyfully and sacrificially with each other because it's not all about "what can I get in this life, how can I get pleasure here and now before it's all over" anymore. When we live the way God wants us to, that's the way He created us to live... and no matter how much pleasure we chase and stuff we get, if we're living the wrong way, we're just as miserable as a bird that doesn't fly, that doesn't fulfill the purpose for which it was created, because it's more concerned with the pleasure of here and now on the ground.

It's going to take time, but you need to submit yourself to God and His leading. It will get easier as you go, and you will find that you will have a real joy and peace. Then perhaps you will be able to witness knowing that what you're offering really is better, both for now and for eternity.



SavedByGraceMD -> RE: I wish my faith was something positive but its not (7/9/2008 5:18:49 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Zhi

Mmm.

God tells us not to do certain things because they can destroy us, and because He has something better. It's not "don't like girls", it's "save the expression of ultimate love for the girl who God has destined to be your mate for life". It's not "don't go to parties", it's "go to parties that don't involve things like drinking and driving, drugs, etc, which destroy your body and your mind". It's not "don't laugh at that joke" or "don't listen to that song", it's "don't pollute your mind with things that make it difficult for you to live a healthy life". There are plenty of jokes and songs that are healthy.

God does not want us to be lonely... He wants us to be with Him forever! Here on this earth, He wants us to "forsake not the assembling of ourselves together". We are to interact, to love each other. We might not be great at this all the time, but we should certainly make the effort.

When Jesus says that we are to "hate" our life in this world, He doesn't mean that we're supposed to go through every day miserable... He's saying that we should recognize that our life is not a life for this world... it's a life that's eternal, a life that's for God. We aren't to cling to this life as if it's the only thing we have, we are to be looking forward, joyfully, to what's coming, we're to be living joyfully and sacrificially with each other because it's not all about "what can I get in this life, how can I get pleasure here and now before it's all over" anymore. When we live the way God wants us to, that's the way He created us to live... and no matter how much pleasure we chase and stuff we get, if we're living the wrong way, we're just as miserable as a bird that doesn't fly, that doesn't fulfill the purpose for which it was created, because it's more concerned with the pleasure of here and now on the ground.

It's going to take time, but you need to submit yourself to God and His leading. It will get easier as you go, and you will find that you will have a real joy and peace. Then perhaps you will be able to witness knowing that what you're offering really is better, both for now and for eternity.

I agree with Zhi, and this was very well put.

I know that when you watch the outside world, the non believers, it looks like they are having fun. The world only offers temporary pleasures, because that is all it has to give. It is an empty life, that leaves you chasing more.

The Christian walk is difficult at times. But that doesn't mean we can't have fun. You just need to remember that this life is not it, and in the end we have paradise to look forward to. If you are just seeking an abundant life, you are looking for the wrong thing. Focus on Jesus, and let Him guide your life, and the rest will come. But lighten up, and if the church you are in is telling you that you can't have fun in this life, and that God says you cannot do all this stuff just to spite you, you need to change churches.



Clarity888 -> RE: I wish my faith was something positive but its not (7/10/2008 2:08:53 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: FatElvis

I wish my faith was something positive but its not
I am here out of fear
God puts a choice before each of us
Read JOHN 12:25

He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal

So that’s is your choice enjoy life and go to hell or deny yourself life and go to heaven
As a Christian you have nothing to look forward to except death
There is no abundant life
It would be nice to met a god who loves us who cares about us and is on are side
But it’s all turn or burn
When I used to go to the luthern church sometimes they would ask me to invite people to church
Or to tell them the good news
I thought what is the good news ?
Tell them what you have experienced here
A life of isolation loneliness anxiety and depression ?
I am supposed to tell people to stop enjoying there life ?
Some of My sins have caused me a world of grief but the others wellthose fleeting moments of pleasure gave meaing to my life was was good it was to be enjoyed But as a Christian well funs over and I don’t know how to get my mind around the big book of don’ts
Don’t like girls
Don’t go to parties
Don’t laugh at that joke
Don’t listen to that song
If I was trading my old life for something better then I would shout it from the mountain tops
But its not


I DEFINITELY feel you... I'm battling that now and battled it when I first gave my life to Christ 2 years ago.

I thank God for the gift he gave me in order to change this in the future...Keep an Eye out Folks!



JesusFan -> RE: I wish my faith was something positive but its not (7/17/2008 1:04:21 PM)

I agree, Zhi explained it very well. I certainly do NOT believe that God doesn't want us to enjoy life, and it bugs me when anyone implies that this is true. My favorite thing to do is to enjoy a beautiful sunny warm day, I'm never happier than when I can be exactly where I want to be, doing exactly what I want to be doing at that moment. I am always grateful to God for giving me these moments. I consider them a gift from God. He wants us to enjoy His creation. But, I know that there are other things in this world that aren't so pleasant, and so I don't totally "love" my life here, and would much rather be with God in Heaven.



slushie -> RE: I wish my faith was something positive but its not (7/17/2008 1:16:06 PM)

Those things that God told us not to do... there's a good reason for them. They're temporal things that will lead to pain in the long run (or short run). Taking drugs messes up your body. Having sex with as many girls as you want may lead to AIDs or/and a ton of broken hearts.

God means for us to enjoy life - to the fullest. If someone told you all those things, that person was very wrong. What do you mean a Christian has nothing to look forward to except death? That's very far from the truth.



rcjames -> RE: I wish my faith was something positive but its not (7/17/2008 3:09:01 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: FatElvis
He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal

So that’s is your choice enjoy life and go to hell or deny yourself life and go to heaven
As a Christian you have nothing to look forward to except death
There is no abundant life


A little miscosecption of what is being said there mr. FatElvis.

The reference is to staying in the world (living in sin, without Christ), and that is the world that Christians are to hate (read sin).

As a Christian I look forward to everyday of living, I enjoy myself, I have hobbies, I take trips, I help people, I raise my family, I laugh, I cry, I rejoice; I just don't live in sin with all the hurt, pain, and sorrow that goes along with serving the flesh.

Now what do I give up; I don't do drugs, I don't get drunk, I don't commit sexual sin, I don't steal, I don't curse, I don't lie; and I do not miss those things and the misery that they bring into one's life.

As JimboFletch said, I am a happey camper, I love my Faith, I love life, and I am looking forward to eternity in Heaven.

Now if that ain't positive; then there ain't a quarter horse in Oklahoma.

Thanks
RC



deliveredarling -> RE: I wish my faith was something positive but its not (7/17/2008 6:00:09 PM)

Fat elvis, I'm going to dare say that you are a young man, a teenager. The do's and don't you are receiving are not only for salvic purposes nut for your own good and well being.

I don't know about the not liking girls part, I think it more or less has been a warning about premarital sex. (BTW, have you seen the reality show, where the kids have to take care of a baby?[;)]

Don't really know about jokes you can't laugh at, unless it's racist or crude adn then what's really funny about those things? Being a young man, there are some rather crude and funny things too. I do fully believe God has a sense of humor-He did make bodily functions after all[:D]

Dare I say son? You aren't giving up anything you will truly miss. Things of this world, do not, will not, and can not fulfill you like the love of Christ.
Nothing beats having that kind of love and security.

Besides all that, in knowing Him, you won't have the desire to do many of the "fun" things. Really and truly those fun things aren't all that fun, neither are the consequences[;)]



rcjames -> RE: I wish my faith was something positive but its not (7/17/2008 7:08:56 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: FatElvis
But as a Christian well funs over and I don’t know how to get my mind around the big book of don’ts
Don’t like girls


Don't like girls, WOW I need some Scripture for that one. I love girls, have great relationships with many of the girls in my Church. We laugh, talk, joke, and cry together. Now if you are talking about "Lusting" as being liking then you are just confused about sex. Now concerning sex; as a Christian I have a wonderful, exciting, wild, and wooly sexual relationship with my wife of 45 years. No worry about STDs, unwanted pregnancies, guildt just pure unaldurterated God given sex.

quote:

Don’t go to parties


And just what kind of parties are you wanting to go to that you feel that Scripture tell you not to go to. What is going to be going on; drugs, illecit sexs, etc. etc. then absolutely not; no one needs to attend something such as that.
quote:

Don’t laugh at that joke


What joke, are you referrencing a joke that demeans folks (minorities, women, etc.) or are you talking about a non-prejudiced, non-hurtful but fully story. I tell some great funny stories that have folks of all ages rolling in the isles with laughter.
quote:

Don’t listen to that song


What song, a song that is full of profanities, illicit sexual inuendos, or demeaning to certain segments of the populace? My life as a Christian revolves around songs; and nome of them are not Church songs.

quote:

If I was trading my old life for something better then I would shout it from the mountain tops
But its not


If you are a true Christian, them you did trade in the old sinful, hurtful, selfish, hateful, disobedient self for something (the life of a true Christian) that is so much more wonderful that it is describable.

Look, just not having to hug the commode in the morning puking our your guts from the excessises of the night before is wort a million bucks.[8D]


Thanks
RC



seagullplayer -> RE: I wish my faith was something positive but its not (7/18/2008 10:20:33 AM)

My young friend, if being a Christian is all about a bunch of rules to you:

1) You have been mislead.

2) You don't know the Jesus I do.



FatElvis -> RE: I wish my faith was something positive but its not (7/18/2008 6:01:42 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: FatElvis
But as a Christian well funs over and I don’t know how to get my mind around the big book of don’ts
Don’t like girls
. Now if you are talking about "Lusting" as being liking then you are just confused about sex. Now concerning sex; as a Christian I have a wonderful, exciting, wild, and wooly sexual relationship with my wife of 45 years. No worry about STDs, unwanted pregnancies, guildt just pure unaldurterated God given sex.

Of course I am talking about lusting god doesn’t just want you to wait till marriage to have sex he wants you to be void of all sexual desires/thoughts until then
I am glad for you that you have a good condoned by god sex life and that he has blessed you with a wife

Ps: in the book ‘word’ about a hip hop guy becaming a christain he spells out the joy and difference
Between married and unmarried sex

quote:

Don’t go to parties


And just what kind of parties are you wanting to go to that you feel that Scripture tell you not to go to.
Pick one
Example pirate cruise in Barbados hands down the best party cruise I have ever been on
Laughter music dancing pretty girls rope swing snorkel/beach I did some drinking but not so much and that is part of the reason it was so fun it wasn’t ruined by a drunken episode when we stopped at the beach I took the girl I was with and tried to teach her to swim I cant say it was 100% innocent but we didn’t have sex and I am glad we didn’t for the reasons you mentioned above
All and all one of the best days of my life

Last st patricks day I dressed like a leprechaun drank some beer and gave out shamrock beads to the kids or to girls for a hug nothing too outrageous all in all a good day

Back in the day my week would be grinding thru my day job nights in jujitsu all so that on Friday I could drink my ration of grog dance and sing along with the band at my favorite bar
Then Work my second job and save for vacations meager and pathetic ? maybe but it was better then nothing
when I first made the alter call (admittedly my heart wasn’t in the right place)
What was I met with as a single middle aged christain
Fridaynight bible study
Singles breakfast with a group of elderly women
I remember after one of the Christian singles events where we sang some songs
Then broke into groups and discussed why jesus was single I felt like going back to the homeless shelter I volunteer at because at least someone benefitted from that that night I went home and saw footage of kids on springbreak in negirl besides drinking and sexual sin they were jumping off cliffs and rope swings into the ocean laughing and having a good time I thought about the christain singles events I had been to and thought
this is my new life ? what is the point of being alive ?
I switched churches and struggled for years isolated lonely and depressed
Started attending a different christain singles group where there events fun ?
No not really if we were lucky we played some volleyball
And there big beach party ?
We really didn’t do anything we just sat around had a cook out and some guy tried to sell me amway




If I was trading my old life for something better then I would shout it from the mountain tops
But its not


If you are a true Christian, them you did trade in the old sinful, hurtful, selfish, hateful, disobedient self for something (the life of a true Christian) that is so much more wonderful that it is describable.

//Look, just not having to hug the commode in the morning puking our your guts from the excessises of the night before is wort a million bucks. //

Admittedly not all of these parties end well I remember being on a party buss where they blast music and shake maracas etc well one honeymooning couple the husband got drink and threw up and I thought ****
No fun for him here he is young guy beautiful wife and his night stinks


//Dare I say son? You aren't giving up anything you will truly miss. Things of this world, do not, will not, and can not fulfill you like the love of Christ.
Nothing beats having that kind of love and security.
//
I keep hearing that we all have a jesus shape heart and that only he can fill it well I can tell you that during some of my walk I never felt sadder or more alone all the parties etc at least made the hurt stop hurting for a little while and gave me something to look forward to

//Besides all that, in knowing Him, you won't have the desire to do many of the "fun" things. Really and truly those fun things aren't all that fun, neither are the consequences //
If I had no desire to do these things I wouldn’t do them I am well aware of the consequences
The truest statement I ever heard was ‘all fun in fun for a season then you rep what you sow and it can be a bitter harvest
Like I said some of my sins have caused me a world of grief other made the world look bright and sunny and made life worth living



ladyichigo -> RE: I wish my faith was something positive but its not (7/18/2008 7:00:37 PM)

For future reference when quoting somebody, type "quote" between two brackets [....] at the beginning of the quote and then end with[/quote]. [;)]

I'm sorry your past experiences with fellow Christian Singles were not as exciting as you thought it would be. I'm thinking you're an active person who likes to be around people and have a good time. Maybe you can the one to step up and organize something that will be fun for everyone next time, like another beach outing...except with more activities like beach volleyball, boogie boarding, sand castle contest (???) Have people bring beach foods like hot dogs, hamburgers to grill in the pit. Make it an all day thing and hang out until dark, make a campfire and sing worship songs.

You can organize other outings like bowling night, karaoke night, and stuff like that. You can be a Christian and have fun and exciting activities too. Our Young Adult group goes out ALL the time. They went on a trip to Kauai once for a weekend (since we live in Hawaii). They've gone hiking, and slid down waterfalls at the trail. They even have video game night (playing Halo 3) til the wee hours of the morn. Just plan something fun & exciting minus the premarital sex, drugs, alcohol or whatever else that may lead to harm the temple of the Holy Spirit.



deliveredarling -> RE: I wish my faith was something positive but its not (7/20/2008 8:04:38 AM)

Fat elvis, what I see going on here is an identity crisis. You identified with the world before, it felt good, it felt natural, as it should have, due to our sin nature. Your identity now, is in Christ. This takes time, as He molds us more and more into His image. As Christians, there are bunches of lessons we must learn, some of them are quite painful, but all is for His glory. You are wrestling with the draw of the flesh. If you give in, it will swallow you, if you resit, it (he, the enemy) will flee. Keep your eyes on Jesus, turning not to the right or the left, following Him.



crankius -> Spam vs. Steak (7/21/2008 2:24:27 PM)

I think until you understand your lost state, you can't appreciate what you are gaining in Christ.

For you life is still all about fun and having a good time and gaining your identity and worth from those experiences. How God sees you is far from your mind. A deep desire to be in fellowship with your Creator is missing in your posts.

It's like this:

At the moment you're enjoying Spam, and it tastes great, and you can't imagine anything could be better in life.

To know God, all you can see right now is that you have to give up Spam.

Someone who truly recognizes the treasure of God knows He is the Maker of choice steak, and knowing Him personally is far greater than Spam.

For the one who desires the Maker of the steak, there is great sorrow upon realizing that they can't have the Maker of the steak because they are marked as a Spam eater. Sorry--no steak for you! And then, the Spam lacks flavor and the person feels great remorse for ever eating Spam, and seek a way to the Maker of the steak, and they truly repent.

Then they realize that Christ has paid the price to know the Maker of the steak, and what great immense joy! Christ makes available the treasure in the field! It is worth selling all the Spam you own to gain the field, gain Christ, and have steak.

But the rest of the world is still eating Spam and thinking it is the best thing ever.[:'(]



BTW, I really enjoy eating Spam, so this is not a slam on Spam. It's just my lame attempt to explain this concept.


At any rate, God doesn't ask any of us to stop living life abundantly—after all, He is the Maker of steak and all things good. What God asks is for us to desire HIM above all else. Paul said that Christ is our life--Col 3:4.

1Jo 5:20 - And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

At the moment, this life has more value for you than knowing the true God and being in Christ.

So maybe go eat Spam if Spam is what you really desire.



deliveredarling -> RE: Spam vs. Steak (7/21/2008 5:44:48 PM)

That was absolutely priceless Crankius[:D] An excellent demonstration of the love of Christ!



delete123 -> RE: Spam vs. Steak (7/21/2008 5:47:33 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: deliveredarling

That was absolutely priceless Crankius[:D] An excellent demonstration of the love of Christ!



I agree. I will never view Spam the same way [:D]

CRH



19ramman85 -> RE: Spam vs. Steak (7/21/2008 6:05:29 PM)

crankius - gonna have to remember that one - it is priceless!


-charles

p.s. - I don't like spam - so I must b in some serious Dutch, eh?

lol



earthless -> RE: Spam vs. Steak (7/21/2008 6:06:31 PM)

Mmmmm.. fried spam and eggs... with some toast!



kmangel -> RE: Spam vs. Steak (7/21/2008 6:45:06 PM)

Go to the bookstore and pick up a book called Gracewalk by Steve McVey. I think a lot of what you are questionning is legalism.

There are some things that God tells us not to do because we will hurt ourselves and others when we do them. When we cheat on our spouse we hurt our spouse and if there are children, our children. Surely you can see the damage this sin impacts on people. If we get addicted to drugs or alcohol we hurt ourselves and the people who are impacted by our drug/alcohol abuse. Surely you can see God's wisdom in not doing this, too. Honestly, I don't think God restricts us from a lot of things. People may make up restrictions, but I don't think God restricts us as much as we want to make out He does. Satan, though, does like to make us think God is a real kill joy. He will try to make us buy into his idea that God only wants to spoil our fun. The truth is if God says something is forbidden it's because this life is not only about us. There are other people to consider--like those children we bring into the world. Why is it okay to hurt them when we get dissatisfied with whatever we are dissatisfied with? It isn't.

Maybe you aren't talking about obvious sin that hurts people but what someone has said is sin and you question whether or not that's really sin at all. There are legalists in this world (no card playing, no dancing, no bringing coffee into the sanctuary, no cutting your hair, no wearing pants to church, no whatever), but honestly, what are we as Christians to do? You know what, we are able to do anything. Something may not be beneficial for us to do, but we are not really restricted. Get in touch with God and see what He has to say about what you do--or don't do. What may be okay for you to do, something that wont lead to sin, may not be okay for another person to do. We can't always paint every situation with the same brush. God will direct you. Trust Him to.



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