Coming back to grips of reality!!

[deltaduck21]

I am 23 years old, have a full time job as a electrical tech, I am still taking night classes to finish up my bachelors degree at USM, and I still try to find time to have a fun and enjoy myself. I get stressed out sometimes because of all that is going on, so after work alot of times I will sit down wit some buddies of mine and drink a couple beers. It just relaxes me and kind of makes me forget about all that is going. Is this wrong?? I consider myself to be a religious person, I don't attend church every Sunday (even though I need to) but I am still thankful for the life I live and all that is in it(family,friends, my health). I am starting to transition myself from the my wilder college day's to a more laid back adult but it's hard sometimes. Any of yall ever went through anything similar?

[music_man]

I'll bite!
First of all, being religious will not get you to Heaven! Neither will attending church! Nor living a "good" life! The only way to Heaven is through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6) So, first of all I would suggest you to examine your life and answer this question HONESTLY... If I died right now would I go to Heaven? After all, none of us are perfect! Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever looked at a woman with lust? Have you ever wronged your neighbor? We all have sinned!!!! for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) If we have sinned, we deserve death and separation from God! For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23) But, God offers us a way out! But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) So, at this point ask yourself the question... How do I have a personal relationship with Christ? That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (Romans 10:9-10)
After you have come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and have believed in your heart and confessed with your mouth, you are saved. Now, ask yourself the question... Do I need alcohol? Do I need the things I use to do? Do I need anything other than Jesus?
Now, back to the going to church and being a good person thing. These things will happen as a result of being saved! But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25
As I have experienced in the past, people will live differently after they are saved than before because of the Spirit of God living within them. The fruit of the Spirit will show more and more daily as one grows closer to God. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 Reading this can be confusing! This doesn't mean if you are saved, you will instantly stop doing all the sin you use to do! Nor will you lose all your desire for the sins you use to do! Satan will tempt you daily!!!! This verse (2 Corinthians) if understood in it's original language actually mean old things are passing away all things are becoming new. We grow in Christ daily.
Hope this helps! If you have any questions, pm me anytime!

[LawDawg]

first of all I would suggest you to examine your life and answer this question HONESTLY... If I died right now would I go to Heaven?

oftentimes, more telling is the follow up question to this. A lot of people honestly think they will go to heaven, but when asked "why?" the answer is contra to scripture.

By grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone is the only way. Thanks for the question and the honesty, Deltaduck. If you are ever in town, I'd love to buy you a beer and discuss this more with you.

[the tree]

I dont believe drinking beer with friends to relax is a problem; unless, you over indulge or detach yourself from your Christian beliefs.

[the tree]

deltaduck, please remember if your meeting with friends and enjoying a few beers to relax you should also consider some daily scripture. At your age I started with John's Gospel. Read it once at my pace, then reread one or two "paragraphs" at a time. With time, you'll realize God's word can provide amazing peace. One of my favotite scripture lessons comes from John 21. As a duck hunter, you should easily relate to the setting.

[hustle]

Nothing is wrong with drinking a beer, unless that situation becomes a stumbling block for you or someone around you