Whiskey On My Breath ~ Love and Theft

I woke up with a pounding head
With a bottle laying in the bed
There was a little, a little bit left
So I picked it up and I killed the rest

Oh I know I'm going to heaven
But I can't go with me like this
I need to pull myself together
Before then

No I ain't afraid of dying
But what scares me to death
Is meeting Jesus
With whiskey on my breath.​
 

What determines whether we get into heaven or not? Some believe that if you are a good person or at least have an appearance of being better than others you will enter heaven.  Some believe you enter into heaven by doing good deeds.  Many believe that if you follow a particular religious doctrine you will have an open door to heaven.  The truth is the only way to heaven is to believe in Jesus Christ, to have a one on one personal relationship with Him.  

The problem with believing religion leads to heaven is that is it leads people from Jesus rather than to Jesus. Religion feeds off of fear, if you do not follow the rules you will be denied the kingdom of heaven.  When discussing our Christian beliefs on the kingdom of heaven we need to focus on building a relationship with Jesus Christ rather than religious doctrine that simply acts as a bridge to our faith practices. As the lyrics to Love & Theft's  Whiskey on my Breath say "I know I'm going to heaven, but I can't go with me like this".  So many times people are shamed into believing they are not worthy for God's kingdom because of their sins.

Whether it is alcoholism, or other addictions the guilt from a person's actions feeds their belief that Jesus may not like what He sees when they arrive at Heaven's door. Following the rules of a religion feeds fear.  Fear of the consequences of your actions, fear of what might happen after you die if you don't live your life accordingly. Your spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ shows you how to stand despite being afraid, how to move on doing what you feel is right despite the consequences that may come.  

Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." According to the Bible, we aren't required to subscribe to a religious formula or do more good things than bad ones. God gives His love freely to all who ask. "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Romans 10:13).  We do not get to enter Heaven's doors by the works we do but rather surrendering ourselves to Jesus.  It is by His grace (a free gift given by God because of Jesus) we are saved.

I lost her and all my friends
Broke all but one of my Lord's 10
But Jesus died for all my sins
That's how I know I'm getting in

Oh I know I'm going to heaven
But I can't go with me like this
I need to pull myself together
Before then

No I ain't afraid of dying
But what scares me to death
Is meeting Jesus
With whiskey on my breath​
 

If you were standing before God right now and He asked you, “Why should I let you into Heaven?” What would you say? You may not know how to reply. What you need to know is that God loves us and has provided a way that we can know for sure where we will spend eternity. The Bible states it this way: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).  

So, how can you be sure that you will go to heaven when you die?  Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. “To all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).  Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). You can spend eternity with Jesus in Heaven, for He promised: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be where I am” (John 14:3).

Regardless of your sins, or the "Whiskey on your breath" Jesus will open heavens doors wide and embrace you as you enter the kingdom of heaven.

Oh I know I'm going to heaven
But I can't go with me like this
I need to pull myself together
Before then

No I ain't afraid of dying
But what scares me to death
Is meeting Jesus
With whiskey on my breath​
 

On January 26th, Bobby Bones shared Love and Theft's song on his radio show.  Bobby shared how powerful this song's message is to him. Bobby's mother passed away from alcoholism and drug addiction.  After playing this song, he had calls and emails from hundreds of people who could relate to this song.  The song quickly moved to the top of the Itunes download list.  

Love and Theft's Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson explain the story behind the song and how they both (Eric is 200+ days sober) have been impacted by addition.  "It's an alcoholic's struggle. He's comfortable with where he is, and it doesn't matter about the rest of his life, but he doesn't want to embarrass himself in front of Jesus," Liles told Rolling Stone Country. "His mindset is he knows he's going to die one day, but even though he lost everything on this Earth, he's not going to give up liquor. It's that inner battle that an alcoholic faces. And it never resolves. It shows the darkness of being alone."

The message in this song goes way beyond the lyrics.  The word of God tells us, a Christian is saved by grace and not by works so no-one can boast.  There are no rules that will get you into heaven  You are a child of God and through God's gift of grace you will be greeted at heaven's door with open arms.

Jesus died for all my sins, that's how I know I'm getting in