Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Double standards
Ok I have to admit that I have different standards for different people. Let me explain and then you are free to disagree if you feel so led. My father is in his sixties and will generally have a six-pack in his refrigerator. I don’t have a problem with this because that six-pack will last for most of the summer and my father has never had a problem with alcohol. On the other hand if my daughters youth Pastor, or youth sponsor had a six-pack in thier refrigerator, (even if consumed responsibly and legally) my response would be quite different. Any thoughts??
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6 comments:
Why? If this is true, Jesus would have not been received by you. Now you sound like an honest to goodness pharisee. Are you? Or can you stretch into seeing that it is all about the heart and not the alcohol.
It's all about expectations. We place a perception in our mind about how an individual should act based on our perception of their role. I have "expectations" of how my pastor, wife, a policeman, fireman, teacher, coach, or numerous others should act in given situations. These are based on experience, preference, and in some cases ignorance I believe. You would look at these same persons and like have a different list of expectations. Is that right? Usually not. The key to these situations, IMO, is that a true Christ follower is willing to address the questions in their mind in light of Scripture and with the Holy Spirit and not climb on the high horse of the pharisee.
Easier said than done? you betcha!
What about causing your brother to stumble? Isn't it more reasonable to think that if a teenager saw a beer in the youth pastors frig, it would in someway lower the resistance for that youth. I can already hear the kids saying "you wont believe what pastor _____ has in his frig"? It wouldn't have the same impact if seen in my fathers frig, would it? Just because something is permissible does not make it beneficial.
OK, I'm typing/ Thinking out loud here soI hope I'll avoid rambling.
I see your point and everything in me thinks that I should agree. On the other hand I have the nagging conviction that the passage referring to causing my brother to stumble has to do with my personal actions, not watching what others do. It's the whole speck of sawdust vs. the plank in the eye thing. I know that we are also called to confront one another in love when we see each other making blunders. But I think it's often way easier to look to others' issues rather than in th mirror. I hate the mirror :)
I was thinking about the "everything is permissible..." passage as well last night. That has a lot to do with maturity. It takes a certain level of maturity to discern what the things are that are not beneficial in our lives.
If I decide that I would like to keep said 6 pack around to enjoy on occasion I need to realize that I also am accepting the resposability that goes with that decision. Could I cause someone to stumble? Likely so. But I also realize that if I go about life worried about what other "might" think or how they "might" respond I'll never do anything. Can't play cards because someone might gamble, can't have a glass of wine because someone"might" percieve that alcohol is cool, and list could go on.
I am becoming keenly aware that I NEED to have such an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit that I will know where those boundaries are and respond accordingly. I am also aware of what an awesome responsability it is to raise kids in such a way that they would not look at the cans in the fridge and see that as a license to drink -- that could be a whole other post/ discussion!
There are definately those who are called to higher standards; are they imposed by God or man?
Well, I didn't avoid the ramble but this is a great discussion and I enjoy knowing that there are others "working out" the faith as I am.
I see were you are coming from Scott. I think those who are called to ministry have to be willing to give up their "rights" Many people would rather live their on life, without sacrificing their rights to reach people for Christ. We need to put his question within the context of our culture. In Europe or possibly out west this would not even be an issue. In Europe it is very cultural to drink wine at dinner. In good old Indiana it is not and to many ling block stumbling block issue. Working with students further complicates the issues. A student will see you actions as validation for them to act in the same way. Also, in the Missionary Church Pastors are ask to refrain from alchol and tobacco.
Thanks to all of you for your input on this issue. In some ways I could easily argue both sides.
Any more thoughts?
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