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LET'S TALK ABOUT... |
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THE DEEPER LIFE |
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THE CHURCH ON HIGHER GROUND |
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HOMEPAGE |
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SERMON NETS HOMEPAGE |
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SERMON NETS MENU |
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HOLINESS AND VICTORY |
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HOMEPAGE |
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SERMON NETS ON HOLINESS |
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HOLINESS #1 |
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SERMON NETS ON VICTORY |
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KEYS TO VICTORY #1 |
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KEYS TO VICTORY #2 |
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KEYS TO VICTORY #3 |
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KEYS TO VICTORY #4 |
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KEYS TO VICTORY #5 |
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KEYS TO VICTORY #5
ON THIS PAGE#1 Alcohol & the Christian |
#1 Alcohol & the Christian |
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I often hear people talk about the Christian's right to drink alcoholic beverages. I gave this brief response in one of my Bible clubs on the net.
JESUS SERVED WINE
Though Jesus turned water into wine, and it was the best served at the party, we can rest assured that He did not provide anything that was going to cause a person to lose self control or impair their judgment. Regardless of what we don't know about Jesus' wine, we do know that He would not have done or encouraged anything which would be contrary to His standard of dignity, wisdom, holiness.
IT WAS NOT STRONG DRINK
God's word clearly says, in several places, not to drink strong drink. Jesus would not practice or provide strong drink when it is condemned by the Scriptures.
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"Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise" (Proverbs 20:1).
"Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!" (Isaiah 5:11).
"Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:" (Isaiah 5:22).
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WE SHOULD BE A STEPPING STONE, NOT A STUMBLINGBLOCK
Even if you happen to be a person who can "handle a drink" (I have my doubts) your drinking could open the door for the one who cannot handle it and thus lead others into a life of enslavement. You see, we have a responsibility to others. As Christians, we must be careful to not put any stumbling blocks in front of other people.
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"Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way" (Romans 14:13).
"But take heed lest by any means this liberty of your's become a stumblingblock to them that are weak" (I Corinthians 8:9).
"He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him" (I John 2:10).
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Drinking alcohol has never been for the good of society. It has left a wake of broken homes and broken bodies. Like other drugs it robs and kills. A Christian must not give himself to that which can enslave himself or others who follow in his steps. There is a certain percentage of society which will become addicted to alcohol from their first experience with it. Those who may not be among those who are so easily entangled, must live in such a way as to help the weaker ones. The Christian, especially in the cultures where alcohol is creating a problem, should say, "No" to alcohol.
It may seem extreme to abstain, but the Christian life is a life of extremes. Is the loss of our witness worth a drink? Is the loss of a friend worth a drink? Is the loss of a family member worth a drink? Is the loss of a life worth a drink?
Of course not.
"But look at what I will lose if I don't take a drink."
What will you lose, your inhibitions, your dignity, your money, your time, your friends, your family, your testimony, your life and your soul.
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Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17
It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Rom 14:21 ).
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Our service to Christ is worth more than a drink. Giving up good things is sometimes required to serve the Lord, certainly giving up something which is not in, and of itself good, is also required. The real "high way" is not attained by using drugs.
IT IS A MATTER OF LOVE AND SELF DENIAL
If we are expected to lay down our lives for our brother, is it not reasonable that we lay down passing pleasures which do more harm than good? Why would I offend my brother or fellow man, for whom Jesus died? I am called to deny myself. Self denial in the good and beneficial things of life, how much more so in the things which are either questionable or destructive?
Upward and Onward in Jesus,
David on Higher Ground
12/30/00
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