Markus ,
but I am smart enough to know that there is an element of compassion in Christianity.
Romans 9:
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.
Fairly evident from God.
1 Peter 3:
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
Compassion looks pretty basic to me.
The implication here is that there are no true believers who are alcoholics. Obviously that is false.
For a non-believer, how would you determine this? Can you judge outside your courts? Personally,I see two thoughts here.
# one is: I cannot judge anothers weakness. It is not my job. I have my own weaknesses.
# two is this: Drunkeness is a sin. One among many. And here is what God says about it.
1 Cor. 10:
13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Alhocol has never been a problem for me. That is not to say it won't be, and that is not to say I have "mastered" it, it is just to say, people are different. What is hard for one may be easy for another(in any thing) . So I am not equipped very well to deal(read help) with alcoholics because I have not been close to it. There are other things now that I could not say that too, you know?
But , in some sense the Word clearly says that it can be overcome. I personally think for some that includes AAs. Who am I to say what God will use, but to say if "I" had a vice, and God would accept me in that vice, I would not agree.
Jesus takes you exactly where you are, but that does not mean He will leave you there. Too much written otherwise.
As I said , I am glad there is AAs available at our congregation. Among many other things. (Part of the "not leaving you there" I was speaking of.
Rev. 5:13
dan |
