Looking at my past

When I look back at the legalistic way I was raised, here are some things I once believed based on the way I was taught.  Drinking Alcohol was wrong, I believed in total abstinence. Even if I didn't state it at the time, I would have been hard pressed  to consider anyone a Christian that drank a glass of wine or a bottle of beer.  Smoking a cigarette or a cigar the same thing. Actually today I know of no medical benefits to smoking tobacco so even though I would not smoke myself, I know Pastors that smoke, deacons that smoke, etc.  At one time we were taught to not go to movies, or professional ball games. Today I know Christians that will go to a casino. There are non-essentials that you cannot base on scripture without some doubt.  On the other hand I was taught that sex outside of marriage was wrong. Scripture backs that up. I Corinthians 6:9-10; Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. That is just one verse. There is also a verse where Timothy was told by Paul to drink a little wine for his stomachs sake. Of course the legalists would have told you the wine Paul was referring to was non fermented wine. Yet Jesus created wine at a marriage celebration and I am sure the host would have known the difference between fermented and non fermented. Perhaps drunkenness as listed in verse ten would keep one out of God's kingdom. I will not say a glass of wine or a single bottle of beer is the same. This list also talks about fornicators and adulterers. Sex outside of the marriage bond. It is clear, but today we see other sins made legal by law and we are quick to pounce on them.  Many times the Bible is quick to tell us to look at ourselves. Have we justified actions in our life that the Bible tells us not to do? Our beliefs cannot be based on what we feel is right, it must be backed up by the word of God. I go to movies today, I would go to a professional ball game if I wanted to pay the price for a ticket. I do not find restrictions against these in the word. But I think 1 Corinthians is clear. Over the years as I have walked with God, he has changed me in many ways. I would like to give an example of one change that came to mind recently. When I was a young man, and we lived six miles from the nearest town one way and eight miles in another direction. I use to get so angry when my wife would come home with the gas tank on empty. I thought it is me that is going to have to walk to get gas if we run out. Over the years as God has changed my perspective, I now see it as my responsibility to make sure my wife's car has gas in it so that she never has to put gas in her car. It is almost a 180 degree turn in my attitude. I try to show my love for the one God gave me to be my help meet in this way.  I still most times try to open her car door as we go places together. Little changes that I have allowed God to make in my attitude over the years I walked with him. Many times I pray God help me and changed me into the man you want me to be. I still need changing, I still need to be more help around the house. I see my role to be a leader in being an example to those that may watch my life.  Follow me as I follow Christ. Copy those things that show love to others. Change those things that are not out of love.  God bless, LVZ.