People sometime have strange ideas about Christians. Too often the media wants to lump all Christians in the one basket. So do a lot of other people. The reality is Christians are a varied lot. What they do have in common is a saving faith in the work of Christ on the cross.
Some Christians will not touch alcohol. They see alcohol as a major problem in society, which it is, and one that often causes other problems making people behave in a way that they would not normally do. So they choose to abstain from alcohol. The problem occurs when they try and impose such views on others.
Others have decided it is okay in moderation. The bible is not clear about this issue. What it does say is not to get drunk with wine, Ephesians 5:18. But Paul urged Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach’s sake, 1 Timothy 5:23. I admit I don’t mind the occasional glass of wine. However if people I am with don’t want to drink alcohol that is their right. One situation which does need discernment and consideration for others is if the other person is a recovering alcoholic or has a problem with alcohol, then to drink in front of them in my opinion it is irresponsible and unloving. I would choose to refrain in that case and have done so.
Other Christians are against cosmetics. Again the bible is not explicit about this. It merely urges us to pay more attention to inner beauty than outward appearance, 1 Peter 3:3-4. As far as I can see looking dowdy and drab does nothing to encourage others to come to Christ and can be a bad witness. But I’m willing to concede others view it differently. It’s just different people have looked at it and come to different conclusions. One person is not more spiritual than the other. One is not more worldly than the other. I ‘m not saying I’m right and others are wrong. Each of us needs to work it out with God.
The problem comes when we allow these minor issues to take precedence in our lives and take up too much of our time, energy and finances that could be better used for kingdom work.
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