What to do, what to do?

[Cast]

Yep, I'm a Christian, yep, I'm a biker too. If you got a problem with that, we'll pray about it. As a mature Christian, I am careful to guard my testimony, and that makes me a lone wolf biker. I find I can't join a club or ride with most groups or I will be identified with a group of fun loving, beer guzzling, foul mouthed old men and their ladies that have their own set of distractions. Now I don't think of myself as a snob, and some of these guys are my friends and they will respect my boundries as I respect theirs, but that don't stop me from telling them when I think they go too far, or them from telling me I'm wrong, but at least there is an exchange of ideas and they learn about what's right. Basically I will ride with anyone, believer or not, that won't cause folks to say that I'm a hypocrite for hanging with them. Ya see, if they're drinking and smoking, then I am too, and my glass of ice water is percieved as vodka or gin and tonic, and I am damaged Christian goods with that crowd. So what's a guy to do? What do y'all do?

Cast
James 1:19

[phat35th]

should I be worried about what people think if I hang around a bunch of christians??

[route66paul]

Jesus hung around with a low element. If you can't handle it, don't. Many Christians consider it a duty to be in the world and show them by example. Moderation is the key. There is nothing wrong with a beer, as long as you can stop before getting out of your head. People are going to do a lot of things that you don't, but you can show them by example that riding Harleys doesn't make you an unbeliever.

Nothing turns off people more than a group that stays to themselves and look down on everyone.

[Fat Henry]

Romans 12:14-16
Bless those who persecute you;Bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; Mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. NIV

Be yourself. Enjoy your friends. You know what is right for you. Witness by example.

Fat Henry
CMA PGR HOG

[Cast]

Originally Posted by phat35th

should I be worried about what people think if I hang around a bunch of christians??

Nope, they will lift you up.

[Cast]

Originally Posted by route66paul

Jesus hung around with a low element. If you can't handle it, don't. Many Christians consider it a duty to be in the world and show them by example. Moderation is the key. There is nothing wrong with a beer, as long as you can stop before getting out of your head. People are going to do a lot of things that you don't, but you can show them by example that riding Harleys doesn't make you an unbeliever.

Nothing turns off people more than a group that stays to themselves and look down on everyone.

Jesus did that, but by comparison all men are lower than Jesus. I can handle it, but I don't want to be a bad example. If I drink one beer and handle it (I won't and can't, it's been too long) that is an example to others. I agree with your last two statements, thanks.

[Cast]

Originally Posted by Fat Henry

Romans 12:14-16
Bless those who persecute you;Bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; Mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. NIV

Be yourself. Enjoy your friends. You know what is right for you. Witness by example.

Fat Henry
CMA PGR HOG

This is good man, thanks. Mine is a KJV, but it still strikes home. I don't drink anymore, so I don't really feel comfy with those that are drinking. I can handle being in a group having a BBQ and a beer, but if it turns into several more beers, I can't abide in that, and watching someone else drink bores me silly.

Sheesh, looking back at this post, I look like a hoiler-than-thou idiot. I'm not, and if y'all catch me being so, permission to smack me upside head.

[AzFAL]

Originally Posted by Cast

This is good man, thanks. Mine is a KJV, but it still strikes home. I don't drink anymore, so I don't really feel comfy with those that are drinking. I can handle being in a group having a BBQ and a beer, but if it turns into several more beers, I can't abide in that, and watching someone else drink bores me silly.

Sheesh, looking back at this post, I look like a hoiler-than-thou idiot. I'm not, and if y'all catch me being so, permission to smack me upside head.

Holier than thou, I don't think so. I'm glad to see someone that understands the power of exampleship & cares about their testimony before others. It does affect how others view God & His people. Besides, "Bad company corupts good intentions", it's not an issue of personal, inner strength, it's an issue of wisdom.

The world is filled with compromising, self-justifying "christians". We've been called to be the light of the world. Too many try to see how close to the fire without getting burned which indicates, in itself, a heart problem.

[Cast]

Originally Posted by AzFAL

Holier than thou, I don't think so. I'm glad to see someone that understands the power of exampleship & cares about their testimony before others. It does affect how others view God & His people. Besides, "Bad company corupts good intentions", it's not an issue of personal, inner strength, it's an issue of wisdom.

The world is filled with compromising, self-justifying "christians". We've been called to be the light of the world. Too many try to see how close to the fire without getting burned which indicates, in itself, a heart problem.

Whew! I was thinking the rapture had come and I was left behind. It is good to see that I am not alone in my convictions. Now we wait for the North TX Christian bikers to come out of hiding I guess. Most are afraid to show their true colors and be held apart from the world. It can get a little solitary...

I'm gonna ride with my dog until then, Smokey is my best earthbound buddy!

Cast
James 1:19

[Fat Henry]

Cast James 1:19

Yea I need help with that at times.

Riding alone are the times I spend listening to and talking to the Lord. Some of my best conversations with Him come at these times. I just made a 1400 mile trip alone and rode 14hr straight coming home. It was really hard to get my leg over the seat on my Fat Boy after that. There are some really great Christian motorcycle ministries available to you. ie CMA Bikers for Christ and some really Hard Core groups. It might be something you may interested in. If so let me know and I think I can point you in the right direction.

God Bless
Fat Henry

[Cast]

Originally Posted by Fat Henry

Cast James 1:19

Yea I need help with that at times.

Riding alone are the times I spend listening to and talking to the Lord. Some of my best conversations with Him come at these times. I just made a 1400 mile trip alone and rode 14hr straight coming home. It was really hard to get my leg over the seat on my Fat Boy after that. There are some really great Christian motorcycle ministries available to you. ie CMA Bikers for Christ and some really Hard Core groups. It might be something you may interested in. If so let me know and I think I can point you in the right direction.

God Bless
Fat Henry

Roger that seat time with the Lord. I noticed that way back on the tractor. Out there in the field with God's creatures I get some great meditation time, the mind goes limp, and I am in touch with Him. I get the same thing on the bike, but it's better. That's why I NEED to ride.

Cast
James 1:19

[Mark Galinsky]

Cast, Where in North TX are you? I'm in Arlington. I don't ride with any group right now. Sometimes with some guy's I used to work with, but mostly alone. Thinking about getting some guy's( that ride )at my church together for some rides. I like having a destination though. Even if it's just somewhere for lunch, and then finding the longest way home.

[Hamilton]

None of the guys I ride with are saved, they tolerate me and I tolerate them; that's about it. They hammer beers and tell foul jokes, I drink Coke and ignore them.

Outside of riding Harleys there's very little we have in common...they just don't want to hear the Gospel anymore. But we've been riding together for years and I don't see that changing.

I think the most important thing is to never give them a reason to mock/laugh at the Gospel of Christ. If we keep ourselves blameless as we can, they will see this and will have to respect that.....I think.

One thing's for sure, it ain't easy.

[Steelhorse]

Originally Posted by Hamilton

None of the guys I ride with are saved, they tolerate me and I tolerate them; that's about it. They hammer beers and tell foul jokes, I drink Coke and ignore them.

Outside of riding Harleys there's very little we have in common...they just don't want to hear the Gospel anymore. But we've been riding together for years and I don't see that changing.

I think the most important thing is to never give them a reason to mock/laugh at the Gospel of Christ. If we keep ourselves blameless as we can, they will see this and will have to respect that.....I think.

One thing's for sure, it ain't easy.

Dude, you need to find a different group!! If you live trying to be blameless, you'll die trying to be blameless, it won't happen. You sound like the reason a lot of people get turned off by Christianity, thinking or trying to be better than people who aren't. If you see what you believe is a negative or flaw in them but continue to ride with them and go thru the same routine over and over, who really has the flaw.......?

[AzFAL]

Phil 2:14-16
Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. (NKJ)


2 Pet 3:13-14 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; (NKJ)

2 Cor 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? (NKJ)


1 Tim 6:7-16 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen. (NKJ)

The Bible admonishes believers, throughout the old and new testaments, to be holy as He is holy, to be above reproach, to be blameless, etc.

You can set your standard as low as you want and you'll probably reach it. Or you can allow God's standard to be your standard. Yes, you'll fail from time to time, actually quite often at times, but running the race according to His rules assures victory.

Personally, I trust God at his Word. He doesn't ask his people to do things He knows they can't.