Wine is a Mocker & Strong Drink is Raging

Can or should the Christian purchase and consume beverage alcohol?  One is, first of all, reminded of a conversation in Jurassic Park.  While discussing the "merits" of "bringing back" the dinosaur, it was noted that "just because we can doesn't mean we should."

We can apply this principle to the Christian's consumption of "Noah's folly."  "Technically," a Christian can purchase and consume beverage alcohol within certain guidelines outlined by Paul in Romans 14.  These principles apply to eating meat, drinking wine or anything else that causes a brother to stumble (14.21)  Here they are:

• A Christian can consume beverage alcohol as long as he does not "despise the one who abstains." 14.3
• A Christian can consume beverage alcohol as long as he does so "to the honor of God."  14.6
• A Christian can consume beverage alcohol as long as he is "ready to give an account to God" for so doing.  14.12
• A Christian can consume beverage alcohol as long as he is 100% absolutely certain that by so doing that it will not place a "stumbling block" before any other Christian.  14.13
• A Christian can consume beverage alcohol as long as he is 100%  absolutely certain that by doing that it will not cause a "hindrance" to any other Christian.  14.13
• A Christian can consume beverage alcohol as long as he is 100% absolutely certain that by so doing no other Christian is "grieved."  14.15
• A Christian can consume beverage alcohol as long "as what he regards as good is not spoken of as evil."  14.16
• A Christian can consume beverage alcohol as long as that pursuit "makes for peace and mutual upbuilding."  14.19
• A Christian can consume beverage alcohol as long as it "does not destroy the work of God."  14.20
• A Christian can consume beverage alcohol as long as he "has no doubts" and that the act "proceeds from faith."  14.23

There we have it!  A Christian can, in fact, purchase and consume beverage alcohol when in compliance with biblical guidelines described by the inspired apostle Paul.  Having said that, the guidelines are stringent and nearly impossible.  The legal limit of blood alcohol in most states is .08%.  Many people can meet that mark with as little as one can of beer or one glass of wine.  What is the Christian who wants to consume wine with their meals to do?

 For those Christians who want to protect both their conscience and their ambassadorship, there is a wine alternative.  It is called NON - alcoholic wine!  One vendor that provides such products is none other than Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).  Check it out for yourself at http://maddvirgindrinks.com/ or, better yet, just pick you up some Welch's (TM) http://www.welchs.com/products/sparkling-cocktails sparkling grape juice products at your local grocery store.

 

Dear Christian friend; "Why consume poison when you can have the flavor MINUS the poison?"   "Why risk your conscience before God?"  "Why place your ambassadorship at risk?"