that you probably get the point!
There is nothing in the Bible about drinking wine in moderation
but...
Proverbs 20:1:
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging : and whosoever is
deceived thereby is not wise.
Proverbs 31:6:
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine
unto those that be of heavy hearts.
Isaiah 5:11:
Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they
may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine
inflame them!
(Additional verses may be found at the end of this note.)
I would - however - challenge any Christian to advise all
of us ways that drinking enables them to be a better Christian
or improves their witness.
Additionally, where in the New Testament did any Apostle
actually drink wine other than for medicinal purposes???
It is quite true that Jesus first miracle was turning water
into wine and many scholars believe that wine in that
society was mostly but not always used as a purification
process. Also, it should be pointed out that perhaps
culturally alcohol is perceived differently in say Europe
than the USA. So, not living in Europe these comments
are basically for the USA but may apply elsewhere also.
The Witness Factor:
Suppose a liberal magazine like Newsweek contained
a picture of your preacher with three well known Christian
leaders (Maybe Billy Graham, Al Mohler, Chuck Swindoll,
etc.) with each holding a can of beer. What do you think
would be the caption? Would it mock Christianity?
Would you take notice if your youth leader & pastor were
drinking a can of beer while conducting a church meeting?
Would your perception be any different to you if they were
holding a Pepsi?
This may be a good indicator of whether YOU should drink
alcohol ever publicly.
Your Kids Factor:
If you have children still in the home are you opening doors
for them that you rather not be open. Alcohol is usually
involved when a girl losses her virginity outside of marriage.
Alcohol is often involved when teenage boys are killed
or injured in accidents. How many marriages do we read
about that are ruined by alcohol? Is alcohol used when
a person commits adultery?
Most parents won't allow their children to play anywhere
near danger but have NO PROBLEM introducing to them
by example the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
There is little benefit in telling them that this is for adults
only because somewhere between 8 and 16 each one
will believe that they are adults!
May I suggest that anytime Christian parents use alcohol,
it should never seen or kept in the home. Drink in moderation
but only where your kids won't see you and no one is around
you that you wish to be a good witness to. If you intend to be
a dedicated Christian, please let me know where that place
might be!
Do you even wish to be a witness to your garbage man by
what is in your garbage?
Alcoholism Factor:
Alcoholism is a worldwide problem and you or I may be
one and the best way to not find out is to never take that
first drink. Before you get a bit smug here, think about
your kids. You may not be but they may!
Example Factor:
Mostly covered already but please let me know how alcohol
will enable you to grow closer to Christ and also to be a better
witness...
When is a good time for you NOT to be in control of your senses
or faculties? Around strangers so that they can take advantage of
you? When you're behind the wheel? Around friends or
acquaintances who will take advantage of you? If not you, your kids?
How clear do you wish your brain to be when you get a
troubling call at midnight and a friend or loved one really
needs Christian guidance?
Additional Verses:
Romans 14:21:
It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by
which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
Ephesians 5:18:
And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be
filled with the Spirit,
1 Timothy 3:3:
Not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle,
not quarrelsome, not covetous;
Your Daughter because you opened the door?
Additional Study:
MORE INFO!!!
Your Son because you opened the door?
Above is from my notes from when a youth
leader was speaking to parents on this issue.
Your Daughter because you opened the door?
Your Child because you opened the door who won't
be home ever again?
Four Important Things To KNOW:
ReplyDelete1) For ALL (Americans, Muslims, Jews,
Catholics, Hindus, Buddhist, Asians,
Presbyterians, Europeans, Baptist,
Brazilians, Mormons, Methodist,
French, etc.) have sinned & fall
short of the glory of God.
2) For the wages of above (see #1)
are DEATH (Hell, eternal separation
from God, & damnation) but the Gift
(free & at no charge to you) of God
(Creator, Jehovah, & Trinity) is
Eternal Life (Heaven) through
(in union with) Jesus Christ
(God, Lord, 2nd Person of the
Trinity, Messiah, Prince of
Peace & Savior of the World).
3) For God so greatly loved & dearly
prized the world (Americans, Muslims,
Jews, Catholics, Hindus, Buddhist,
Asians, Presbyterians, Europeans,
Baptist, Brazilians, Mormons,
Methodist, French, etc.) that
He even gave up His only begotten
(unique) Son, that whosoever (anyone,
anywhere, anytime - while still living)
believes (trust in, relies on, clings to,
depends completely on) Him shall
have eternal (everlasting) life (heaven).
4) Jesus said: "I am THE WAY, THE TRUTH,
& THE LIFE. No one (male/female - American,
Muslim, Jew, Catholic, Hindu, Buddhist,
Asian, Presbyterian, European, Baptist,
Brazilian, Mormons, Methodist, French,
etc. ) comes (arrives) to the Father (with
GOD in Heaven) EXCEPT BY (through)
ME (no other name).
This wonderful loving GOD gives you the choice - - -
(Rev. 3:20)
{Please note that church membership,
baptism, doing good things, etc. are not
requirements for becoming a Christian -
however they are great afterwards!!!}
Jesus said, "Wide is the gate and broad
is the road that leads to destruction
(Hell, damnation, eternal punishment),
and many enter through it. But small
is the gate and narrow the road that
leads to life (Heaven, eternal happiness,
forever with God), and only a few find it.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Wist u dat de God van u houdt?
Avez-vous su que Dieu vous aime ?
Wußten Sie, daß Gott Sie liebt?
Avete saputo che il dio li ama?
Você soube que o deus o ama?
¿Usted sabía que el dios le ama?
http://everystudent.com/menus/intl.html
But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up,
that I may show My power in you, and that My
Name may be declared in all the earth. - Ex 9:16
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
P U R P O S E of 'Thought & Humor':
But these are written so that you may
believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the
Son of God, and that by believing in
Him you will have life. Jn 20:31