I will begin to present from time to time Christian scenarios for you to think on. This is something that you profession Christians can begin to open your bibles and really study the Word of God. Second, I hope this will open your heart not to judge your fellow brethren so fast, but give you insight on how to edify your brothers and sisters. I will try and end the scenario with the question:”Is ___ a Christian?” For the first post today, the scenario will deal with smoking:
Jim is a heavy chain smoker. He has been a professing Christian for 20 years and has been smoking for about 30 years. He smokes on lunch breaks and just about every chance he gets. Jim doesn’t say he loves the Lord, he shows it. He is a very peaceful, joyful, always singing praises to God kind of guy. He’s married, never cheated on his wife, and all his children have grown up and become Christians. They choose not to smoke but know that father/husband does. Every time he’s out smoking, he’s preaching about the Lord Jesus Christ to his co-workers. Some co-workers call Jim a hypocrite, saying Jim shouldn’t be preaching about Jesus and smoking at the same time. Others have been drawn to know the Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Many of Jim’s Christian friends approach him and ask why he smokes. They tell him it is wrong and Jim responds “Show me the verse where God says it is sin!” Jim loves his brethren, even the ones that attempt to rebuke him. One of his brethren said they would not be his friend anymore and refuse to hang around him if he keeps smoking. They told him; “God says smoking is a sin, you will go to hell if you keep doing it!” In tears and hurt, Jim says, he will not smoke around this friend as to not offend him if it is sin to him. But Jim doesn’t stop smoking when his friend is not around. He has actually tried to quit, but says he can’t. He’s done the patch and even prayed to God to help him through. Jim keeps smoking, but even more keeps preaching and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ to every person he meets. Is Jim a Christian? Let’s say Jim dies from lung cancer. Is Jim going to heaven? Does the Holy Spirit rest in Jim, even though Jim smokes?
Again, this scenario I wrote is meant to push you to open your bibles and search for the truth.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
2 comments:
If you disagree with what has been said, you may comment, yet this comment section will not become a debate forum with me. I read all comments so please as well watch your language. Comments with profanity/evil intent/threats/ads for anti-Christ websites etc will not be published. Thank you for your comments.
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If this guy is not a Christian because he has a smoking habit, then I'm not a Christian because I have a T.V. habit, or eating habit, or shopping habit. There is no intoxication from smoking that impairs one's ability to function properly. Though it is unhealthy, and maybe even "not expedient", it does not disqualify this brother from the kingdom.
ReplyDeleteI agree. It took me a long time to see that. The questions that came to my mind is, how can this person have the Holy Ghost in them, and be comfortable smoking. Same way when I get greedy and eat to much on my plate. We must be careful in judging our brethren. I'll send you my e-mail Lawrence when I get to work.
ReplyDeleteKarsten Miller