Not Always Black or White

Recently a facebook friend (acquaintence) posted that he wanted reference and verse from the Bible on a whether or not it is okay to drink alcoholic beverages in your own home.  He said, "I don't want guideline verses such as 'abstain from all appearance of evil.' Give me something solid."  He claimed that he really wanted to know, and I hope that he really did want to know.  It was very interesting to me some of the responses he received and the argument that ensued...I was very tempted to throw in my two cents. Since it was men I didn't want to step in.  So, I'll get it off my chest here! 

But this post is not about whether or not drinking alcohol is okay.  I think that anyone who would chance to read my blog already knows the answer to that.

At this point in my life I sure like things that are basic.  I like directions to be simple.

   Step one: Open the box

   Step two: Pull out the contents of the box

   Step three: Open the individually wrapped packages

Wouldn't it be easier if the Bible was like that?  If God would just list the "Thou shalt's"  separately from the "Thou shalt not's" and give us five point outlines and of course put it in large print with spacing between each line for those of us who have a hard time focusing!  Some parts of the Bible are very basic, such as, the ten commandments, the Lord's Prayer; Proverbs is pretty simple, but God has reasons for not doing that.

God likes to test people to see where their heart is.

"The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men."  Psa 11:4

We were created to bring honor and glory to God and to have fellowship with him.  God WANTS our love, but he does not demand it.  The best way to show our love to God is to obey!

John 14:21  He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.


If you really want to KNOW how God feels about something:
 
   1.  Is your heart open?
        I mean are you really searching for His heart on the matter or are you just trying to prove your own views?  If you have just "decided in your heart" what is right and what is wrong, then you have set yourself up as your own god and God will not be willing to give you His input on the matter.  If you are not seeking, you will not find.  If you are not knocking, the door will not be opened.
 
   2.  Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.
           Of course, if you have quenched Him, He won't be much help.

   3.  Search the scriptures.

2Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

       This fellow did not want guideline verses, but that's exactly what he needs! THERE ARE NO GREY AREAS WITH GOD!  He has a DEFINITE will about EVERYTHING!  There are guidelines in scripture to all sorts of "controversial" issues.  Such as:

Drinking alcohol
Women's dress
Length of hair on men and women
Makeup
Spanking children
Divorce
Head coverings

I could go on and on!  Study your Bible!  I recently found a great online concordance.    Its a FREE download!  http://www.e-sword.net/  It is so awesome to just type in a word and have every verse with that word in it brought up for you!  We sure have it easy in this computer age! Get in there and study, study, study!


   4.  If you still have questions, go to your Pastor. (Not your facebook friends)

       The word pastor means shepherd.  It is his job to feed the sheep, guide and protect them.  A good pastor will not seek you out to give you his counsel, you must be willing to draw it out of him.

Pro 20:5  Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

The Bible is an Amazing book!  As the preacher I heard this week said, "I believe it, cover to cover.  Even where it says Genuine Cow Hide!"