the_agent

I completely respect your opinion and I certainly have my own and my interpretations of what is being said in all these passages.

Do you however recognize my point that its a double standard for some people to say 4 oz of wine is a sin and not a cheese drizzled burger with bacon?

LindaR

I recognize your point as a double standard, but I disagree with you. What I see are people who use "gluttony" as a sin (and it is a sin) to justify drinking alcohol. I have been on many of these forum boards and this topic ALWAYS comes up in the threads "Should A Christian Drink Alcohol", etc. To me, sin is sin and one sin does not justify another sin. My final authority is God's Word--if something I do will not glorify God, then I don't do it.

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:20)

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

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. (Romans 14:21)

This verse doesn't add "only when I am in the company of my weaker brother/sister"--it means don't do those things at anytime. You don't know who else you might be offending or causing to stumble in their faith.

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For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (2 Timothy 1:12)

the_agent

I also do not do what I feel will cause other to stumble Linda. Again, you did not pay attention to what I said. I am not saying drinking wine is not a sin. I am not certain that it is, but I am not saying that it is not. I am saying somewhere along the way, we decided to let that offend us and not overeating and eating terribly which from the scripture quotes above is a sin. I never once said its okay to justify drinking a glass of wine by eating bad, not at all, but the fact that you and many more get offended by wine and not unhealthy eathing is because of our culture and what has been taught. Why doesn't eating pie or french fries offend us as Christians, its clearly bad for the body, or eathing bacon or sausage. Why?

I will be perfectly honest with you, I get more offended by seeing an obese person gourging himself than I do by a good man having a glass of wine. I am not for the abuse of either. Both kill people when abused. I am not even saying drinking is not a sin, but again.....Why are we offended by wine and not glutony? You say glutony is a sin, but do you really get offended when you see an overweight person eating terribly?....clearly wine offends you. Thanks for all your responses. I do appreciate the chatting.

Have a beautiful night

Preacher

Personally, I think anything that defiles our body is a sin. Whether it's being overweight, smoking, drinking or what have you. But..., the question asked in this thread was about alcohol, not cheeseburgers or french fries. So I answered the question accordingly.

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Romans 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

the_agent

I agree, and true....I have turned it in to a food discussion, so my apologies for that. I agree anything that defiles your body is a sin. I got into food, because I brought up the point that our culture gets offended over alcohol and not food because of what they have been taught. If they got offended over what was sin, then we would also get offended by food. Anyway, the it is an alcohol question, perhaps I should start a new thread. haha

Cheers

adoptivemommy

Hi again Linda.

I really think this is one discution that could go on forever and bring as many oppinions as there are people who are debating it. However, I will say this: The verse you quoted stated that you should not eat flesh nor drink wine nor any thing! If I were to take that literally, I would get out of it that I should also be a vegetarian along with not drinking wine, and I don't believe that is what this is saying. You're right, it is not adding "only when we are in the company of a weaker brother or sister", however the word "whereby" implicates that and, as I said about Paul and the meat offered to the idles, as long as the Lord has not specifically told you not to ever touch certain things, don't eat or drink them when you are around those who may stumble because of their OWN beliefs or level of maturity. This, of course, it is just my oppinion.

Laura

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cbubenzer

I very much agree with you Gary. Let's also read our Bibles and find out what the Lord's will is.
Let me expand on this topic a little bit.
Here's an interesting fact: Did "you" know that the fermentation process of grapes to become wine takes only 3 days? That means: They had to drink alcohol if they wanted to drink from the fruit of the vine (Mat. 26,29; Mark 14,25; Luke 22,18) during the year (breaking of bread). At that time they didn't have the technics that we have to avoid the fermentation process.

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Boanerges

I just wanted to say that I love and respect each one of you here- we all have different opinions on this subject - but if possible I would like to reccomend the following:
1. Keep it friendly- a small disagreement between brethren is not worth hurt feelings- Jesus calls us "to Love ye one another"
2. Try to stick generally close to the subject matter - in this case alcohol
3. There are some things worth fighting for- but if it is not a salvation issue then it is not- rest assured God will in His own time work out doctrinal differences-
Thank You For Your Time Brothers and Sisters- in His Name and His Love- Larry

Preacher

No apologies necessary. You've been very respectful.

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Romans 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Roman

hmm, I know for myself when I first became a Christian alcohol was something that I didn't really want to give up and I still like to have the occasional drink, but honestly I do believe God has been working on me to quit and give it up.

I don't think it is a sin, but I do think it all depends on what type of Christian you want to be. I know when I was first saved I confessed it to all of my non-christian friends at the time. While I was telling them I was slamming a bud light and when they heard it they gave me the cocked-head-puppy-dog-look of confusion. At the time I didn't think much of it until a couple weeks later a friend of mine came over and said "You know, you tell me that you are different from us now, yet you still drink."

So I have at least quit drinking in public and if God convicts me to get rid of it completely than I will.

Just my take on it, but I am still a new Christian so I may speak with ignorance.