If Jesus were there with you...by Ed Potts

Have you ever been watching a movie and said to yourself, Should I be looking at this? If so, how do you answer? Yes...no...maybe? Circumstances may affect our answers, but simply asking this question is very important. In fact, for those who follow Christ, such a question should apply to everything in life. Consider this...

Would you watch what you are watching, listen to what you are listening to, go where you are going, say what you are saying, laugh at what you are laughing about, socialize with those you are socializing with, drink what you are drinking, take what you are taking, or even think what you are thinking, if Jesus were there with you? And I mean literally standing, sitting, or walking right there with you.

You might ask, What if it's not about me but being in certain situations so that I can tell others about Jesus? Christ put Himself in the middle of all sin and sinners. Right? Yes, but in all He did He was without sin Himself. So, is it less about participation and more about how you participate?

I'm talking about conscious decisions in how we live our lives. Many of us have questions about what we should and should not do---in relationships, work, health, diet, finance, and just the ordinary day-to-day routine of living. One particular question comes up quite often: Is it ok to drink alcoholic beverages?

I would say, "Yes, it's Biblically ok as long as it is not excessive." But maybe that answer is too simple. What is meant by excessive? The Bible teaches against intoxication (Proverbs 20:1; Isaiah 5:11; Isaiah 5:22). But what is intoxication? Does God have a breathalyzer?

I have spoken with many pastors, Christian leaders, and others on this subject. Some say it's wrong to drink at all. Others believe it's ok as long as it's in moderation or in compliance with the Bible. Confused? I can relate as I had my first alcoholic drink at 19 and for the most part was a so-called responsible drinker.

But in 1980 my pastor presented our church with an interesting question. Beginning with the understanding that it was ok to drink but not be intoxicated, could we serve Him the way He intended us to serve if we drank alcoholic beverages? He encouraged us to pray and ask God for His specific answer to each of us individually.

God's answer to my prayer was very clear. I could only serve God in the way I was meant to serve Him by abstaining completely. Please understand, this is I, as in me not you. The answers to such questions begin strictly between each of us individually and God, as we seek His guidance through His Word and Spirit. This is true in all areas of our lives.

But this is not about alcoholic beverages. It's about a broader question, which involves so much more.

In each situation, any circumstance, and every decision...what would you do if Jesus were there with you? Your answer is literally life-changing and life-defining. For if you are a Christian, then He is there in you, all the time!

If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth...Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me...you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. (see John 14:15-20, NLT)

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:20, NLT)