Are you a drunkard?  I wouldn’t be quick to say no.  In fact, I hope one day I will earn the title of drunkard.

The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’

(Luke 7:34 ESV)

Everywhere you look in the book of Luke, Jesus is getting criticized for one thing or another.  He was criticized for going to parties.  He was criticized for healing people.  He was criticized for his teaching.  He was criticized for eating.  He was criticized for drinking.  At the heart of all of his criticism is the fact that he hangs out with sinners.

Here is the hard truth.  If you choose to drink as a Christian, religious tight-wads are going to criticize you.  If you choose to drink with lost people, you’re really going to be criticized! Like Jesus, they are going to categorize you as a drunkard.  Here is the point tough.  How are you going to handle the criticizing?  Are you going to fold?  Are you going to let the religious tight-wads get to you?

Will you stand strong though for the truth of the gospel?  I hope you do and where you label of drunkard with pride.  Here is a few thoughts on critics from Pastor Mark Driscoll from Mars Hill Church.