November 16, 2006

 

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

 

--Proverbs 20:1

 

My goal today is not to condemn anyone for drinking alcohol. But if you drink, my challenge for you today is to ask yourself, Does my drinking glorify Jesus Christ?

 

With the kind of alcohol that is used and abused in our culture today, can you honestly say your drinking glorifies God?

 

Of course we have liberty as followers of Christ. But I want you to make a greater statement than your liberty as a Christian! I want you to make a statement of Christian love, because it trumps liberty every time. 

 

The facts are clear: Alcohol causes much harm to many people; it’s highly habit-forming; it’s not healthy; it can ruin your witness for Christ; and it has the potential to cause a weaker brother to sin or stumble.

 

Given such clear evidence of alcohol’s negative consequences, is it worth the risk you take to continue to drink?

 

God promises pleasure and an abundant life in Christ. But alcohol is a substitute for the real life, the real joy, and real pleasure you can have in Him! That’s why I hope you will consider saying “no” to alcohol…and “yes” to a truly abundant life in Christ!

 

make a statement of christian love, because love trumps liberty every time!