Does God love you even if you get drunk?

Yes, He does. But it isn't His best for your life. Does He love you if you gossip? Yes, but it isn't His best for your life. Does God love you if you commit adultery, watch porn, spend money you don't have? Does He love you if you covet your neighbor's abs? Yes, He does, but it isn't His best for your life.

The thing about God, He IS love. He loves you UNconditionally, that means, WITHOUT condition, the same as your mama does. But your mama doesn't want you to do those things either and God loves you even more than she does. God came down to Earth, in human form, walked sinless for 33 years then suffered a criminal's death, hung on a cross, so that you would be saved. Does He love you in your mess? Abso-FREAKING-Lutely. And don't let anyone, or any religion tell you otherwise.

But here's the thing. When we read scripture, we're reading God's spoken word, it is alive, it is living, it is applicable to every situation you can and will ever face in your life. It is a guidebook to marriage, parenting, finances, moral choices, friendships, the whole shabang. And what does scripture say? Shall we continue to sin, knowing God's grace will cover us? NO. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we die to self. That means we work daily to be our best, most-Christ-like selves, not because it's required for salvation, but we're called to be Christ-like. That's what 'Christian' means. And while we're human and fleshy and live with those fleshy desires, we also have the Holy Spirit which tells us, if we listen, how to live and act according to God's word.

Your F-words won't keep you from heaven, but they don't look good on you. Your buzz won't keep you from heaven, but it doesn't look good on you. Your gossip won't keep you from heaven, but it doesn't look good on you.

Do you get my point?

I have been all of the things I mentioned above. I am not proud of it, but I am also not ashamed of it, it is part of my past and God has done and continues to do so many works in my heart.

I won't tell you how to live, I don't like it when people do that to me. But I will tell you that God wants His best for you and scripture clearly tells us to not get drunk, or gossip or have debt or covet, whether it's your neighbor's wife or car or money or body. We are to be held to a higher standard, one that pushes others to see Christ through us.

I heard recently, you're either pushing people TO or away from God, which is it? I will never be perfect I've fallen short many times today, but I can tell you that I AM trying, I desire to live the best life I can for Him.

So, while He does love you no matter the stupid choices you make, do you want to disappoint God? Do you want to live a life that isn't His best for you? I don't. I may suck it up today, but that doesn't mean that tomorrow I won't be right back here doing my best. And I'd like to challenge you to do the same.

Have a drink, I love a good dark beer. But watch your intake, it leads to poor choices with food, with gossip, with spending money you shouldn't on crap you shouldn't. The longer I live the more I realize how toxic alcohol is and the less I partake. I've watched it tear apart families, even my own. It is ugly. It creates distance between loved ones, in marriages, at family gatherings, it's unnecessary spending and something I feel God calls me to distance myself from more and more.

I am grateful for the Holy Spirit promptings in my life, are you? Are you running towards them or are you making excuses as to why you keep going down the same bad path?

Drunkenness doesn't look cute on anyone and the older we get the less cute it is. Watch your intake, not for salvation's sake, but for those who are watching you. Push people to Christ, don't be the reason they question everything.

I know this is kind of heavy, but I know that the world promotes drinking and sexual immorality like a natural thing, and it sickens me. I've watched it ruin so many lives, even my own. There is a better way. Live life in balance, enjoy a cocktail now and again, but if it's ruling your life, your plans, your relationships, seek help. Please. You deserve better and so do the people who love you.