IS THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES A SIN? PART 2
By
Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi
“for the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost”. Rom 14:17
This teaching is not intended to encourage alcohol abuse nor condemn those who drink alcohol beverages but rather gives a balanced view on the issue of the consumption of alcoholic beverages by Christians. The essence of the born again experience is beyond festivities but to be at peace with God.
God created alcoholic beverages for beneficial purposes such as sterilization in the hospitals and others, as with other things the abuse of alcohol comes with unpleasant consequences. Alcohol abuse brings about disorderly conduct and death (Ps. 78:65) leads to poverty (Prov. 21:17) it also results in shame, contentions, babbling, wounds, and vision impairment.
The scripture also speaks of the benefits of alcohol drink such as being a shock absorber to disaster victims (Prov. 31:6-7) the ability to eat and drink comes from God (Eccl 3:13) and the pleasure of eating and drinking is a gift from Him (. Eccl 5:18, Eccl. 9:7)
Drinking and eating brings friends together (S.O.S 5:1) it was part of the custom in Jesus’ era no wonder He was described as an ‘eater’ and ‘drinker’ (Matt. 11:19) Jesus regularly sat with sinners eating and drinking in other to save them.( Matt. 9:11) The lord instructed the disciples saying : As you go visiting in the name of the Lord eat and drink whatever is set before you. Luke 10:7 because nothing by their nature (including drink) is unclean in itself (Rom. 14:14) it is the meaning attached to a thing that determines its influence on an individual. One man’s drink is another man’s poison (Rom 14:14)
We are commanded not call anyone unclean (Greek: kaka thartos = impure (ceremonially, morally lewd or especially demonic) this includes drinkers (Act. 10:28)
Alcoholic beverages cannot make a person unholy just as the abstinence from drinking cannot make a person holy .However, if my drinking offends my brother I should not drink in his presence (1 Cor.8:13)
Do everything necessary to reach 'drinkers' with the gospel ( 1 Cor. 9:22) The wine Jesus gave at the feast was (‘yayin’) fermented wine.( John 2:10) and the communion drink used in the early church was fermented as some got drunk during communion service. 1Cor.11:21
In conclusion, we are not to condemn those who drink alcoholic beverages because God doesn’t either, nor encourage its abuse as God frowns at such habits, but rather tell them to drink responsibly and think of avenues to win souls like Jesus did in the light of truth ( Philippians 4:5) As you receive Jesus Christ as lord and savior and read this now receive grace for a life of honour and dignity in Jesus name
prayer/counseling +234 809 853 6911, +234 803 553 6911, email: michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
picture credits: pixabay
“for the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost”. Rom 14:17
This teaching is not intended to encourage alcohol abuse nor condemn those who drink alcohol beverages but rather gives a balanced view on the issue of the consumption of alcoholic beverages by Christians. The essence of the born again experience is beyond festivities but to be at peace with God.
God created alcoholic beverages for beneficial purposes such as sterilization in the hospitals and others, as with other things the abuse of alcohol comes with unpleasant consequences. Alcohol abuse brings about disorderly conduct and death (Ps. 78:65) leads to poverty (Prov. 21:17) it also results in shame, contentions, babbling, wounds, and vision impairment.
The scripture also speaks of the benefits of alcohol drink such as being a shock absorber to disaster victims (Prov. 31:6-7) the ability to eat and drink comes from God (Eccl 3:13) and the pleasure of eating and drinking is a gift from Him (. Eccl 5:18, Eccl. 9:7)
Drinking and eating brings friends together (S.O.S 5:1) it was part of the custom in Jesus’ era no wonder He was described as an ‘eater’ and ‘drinker’ (Matt. 11:19) Jesus regularly sat with sinners eating and drinking in other to save them.( Matt. 9:11) The lord instructed the disciples saying : As you go visiting in the name of the Lord eat and drink whatever is set before you. Luke 10:7 because nothing by their nature (including drink) is unclean in itself (Rom. 14:14) it is the meaning attached to a thing that determines its influence on an individual. One man’s drink is another man’s poison (Rom 14:14)
We are commanded not call anyone unclean (Greek: kaka thartos = impure (ceremonially, morally lewd or especially demonic) this includes drinkers (Act. 10:28)
Alcoholic beverages cannot make a person unholy just as the abstinence from drinking cannot make a person holy .However, if my drinking offends my brother I should not drink in his presence (1 Cor.8:13)
Do everything necessary to reach 'drinkers' with the gospel ( 1 Cor. 9:22) The wine Jesus gave at the feast was (‘yayin’) fermented wine.( John 2:10) and the communion drink used in the early church was fermented as some got drunk during communion service. 1Cor.11:21
In conclusion, we are not to condemn those who drink alcoholic beverages because God doesn’t either, nor encourage its abuse as God frowns at such habits, but rather tell them to drink responsibly and think of avenues to win souls like Jesus did in the light of truth ( Philippians 4:5) As you receive Jesus Christ as lord and savior and read this now receive grace for a life of honour and dignity in Jesus name
prayer/counseling +234 809 853 6911, +234 803 553 6911, email: michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
picture credits: pixabay
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