Recently I received an anonymous note after one of my messages at church. Our topic that night was actually living wisely and we talked about some of Andy Stanley's material out of his book titled "The Best Question Ever". The question he poses is, "In light of your past experience, your present circumstances and your future hopes and dreams, what is the wise thing to do?"
A great question, but sometimes a difficult one to answer.
I asked a number of hypothetical and some not so hypothetical questions regarding various real life situations, some must have struck a nerve, because I received an anonymous note that read as follows:
Matthias, is it wise to drink alcohol with your life group? Is it wise to drink alcohol as a parent? Is it wise to drink as a pastor?
Now if someone would have signed this note I might have taken it as a legitimate question that needs honest answering, however since it was anonymous I initially took it as some sort of cowardly insinuation and attack on how I live my life. Hmmm... (this situation with the anonymous note has now been cleared up, however the question remains what do we as Christians do with the topic of drinking alcohol?)
Now I can honestly say I have never drank with my small group, at least not during small group time... But I think the question raised is bigger than just an insinuation of irresponsibility. So let me answer the questions.
Biblically speaking drinking alcohol is never the issue, but the issue is drunkenness and being mastered by anything. Drunkenness is sin! (Matthew 24:29; Luke 12:45; 21:34; Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 5:11, 6:10; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Peter 4:3)
Jesus made wine and presumably drank it (see last supper), this at least seems to suggest that wine/alcohol is not the primary issue, unless of course his first miracle was a terrible mistake. I think not!
I believe also that there is a responsibility that comes with being in a place of high visibility such as being a pastor/teacher that goes beyond that of the regular Joe. Which might explain why I never drink any alcohol if I still have to drive, do not drink around people I do not know which for me also rules out drinking in public settings.
My position on alcohol is pretty much as follows: Do not get drunk, do not drink and drive, do not cause another person to stumble, and obey the laws of the land (Rom. 13 - which in the United States rules out anybody under 21).
Acts 29 (a nationwide network of church-planters) has taken the following helpful position on this topic,
"we believe that many horrendous sins are affiliated with drunkenness. Therefore, getting drunk is a sin that can lead to other sins, such as incest (Genesis 19:32-35), violence (Proverbs 4:17), adultery (Revelation 17:2), mockery and brawling (Proverbs 20:1), poverty (Proverbs 21:17), late night and early morning drinking (Isaiah 5:11-12), hallucinations (Isaiah 28:7), foolish behavior (Isaiah 5:22; Jeremiah 51:39), murder (2 Samuel 11:13), vomiting (Jeremiah 25:27; 48:26; Isaiah 19:14), staggering (Jeremiah 25:27; Psalm 107:27; Job 12:25), madness (Jeremiah 51:7), shameful nakedness (Habakkuk 2:15; Lamentations 4:21), sloth (Joel 1:5), escapism (Hosea 4:11), and depression (Luke 21:34). In summary, sin leads to death and the sin of drunkenness produces only death and misery.
Thirdly, we believe that Christian leaders are to live their lives in such a way as to set a positive example of holiness for others to emulate (Hebrews 13:7). This includes elders, the male senior leaders in the church, who are not to be drunkards (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7).
Fourthly, we do believe that all Christians must at varying times and in varying ways give up some of their Christian liberties in order to love people of weaker conscience. Christians must make every effort to not lead them into sin by exercising freedoms in their presence (Romans 14:21; 1 Corinthians 10:31-32).
In conclusion, there are different views on alcohol in our network and even on our board. We recognize that this is an issue where Christians can and do disagree, so we have no position on alcohol other than that people should have their conscience captive to the word of God, submit to the leadership of their church or denomination, and do everything for God's glory."
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Verse of the Day
Blog Archive
About Me
- Matthias H.
- Austin, TEXAS
What I am reading...
4 comments:
I get your message...Finally I start to really see, with small folds of daylight, the actual pertinance of the pages. I am a new christian, or for the sake of sharpening my sword, have been weathered by sin for 35 years. but now there is a higher purpose to how I live my life and lead my family.
For us as christians, we have a mighty duty...to uphold an outward view that others on the outside see as positive, not hipocracy.
Thus drunkards beware, it is sin in the eyes of God, But yet not too just drink. If not for a reason that you can figure out, but for a reason that God, in his holiness and faith says for us to abide.
Sins are not only our personal spoils that God will use to judge us, They are the daily reminders we posses from the Holy Spirit that help allow us to ask "the Best Question Ever" before we choose to act. It allows us to make choices with wisdom and faithfulness. Though sometimes we WILL give in to temptation, we must always be diligent in listening to Christ.
Mattias, if this is way off base, please pray for me, I am learning...I hope.
Okay sorry had to do a test as I hardly use this account. I just wanted to tell you I was there for the sermon on this topic and I was in agreement with your stance on everything and I thank you for touching on this subject often not addressed too deeply in the church.
I also liked the approach on going over your past and your history and what is sin for you individually and a stumbling point.
:)
Hey Mattias I agree with what you say about drinking in the church. Have to look back at the culture in which the early church was started in, and wine was a staple food/drink for them. So kudo's.
Post a Comment