From Gary... The essence of "one another"

I gave this picture the title of "almost heaven" because the building looks like a church building to me. Now, I know the word "church" in the original language means "those called out" and therefore refers to the PEOPLE and not THE BUILDING, but I can't help but make the association between the building, the people and heaven after looking at this picture for awhile.  I remember that a long time ago, J.L. Deason presented a lesson in chapel entitled "one another" and instead of just focusing in on just one passage, I thought a simple concordance search of the words would be useful...

NASB quotes...

John

Joh_13:34  "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 

John

Joh_13:35  "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

John
Joh_15:12  "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.

John
Joh_15:17  "This I command you, that you love one another.

Romans
Rom_12:10  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;

Romans
Rom_13:8  Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

Galatians
Gal_5:13  For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Ephesians
Eph_4:2  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,

1 Thessalonians
1Th_3:12  and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;

1 Thessalonians
1Th_4:9  Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

1 Thessalonians
1Th_5:13  and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

2 Thessalonians
2Th_1:3  We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater;

Hebrews
Heb_10:24  and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,

1 Peter
1Pe_1:22  Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,

1 Peter
1Pe_4:8  Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

1 Peter
1Pe_5:14  Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ.

1 John
1Jn_3:11  For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another;

1 John
1Jn_3:23  This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.

1 John
1Jn_4:7  Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

1 John
1Jn_4:11  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John
1Jn_4:12  No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.

2 John
2Jn_1:5  Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.

LOVE; that is the essence of the "one another" passages of Scripture!!!  If I wrote everything I could possibly think of concerning the topic, it would be one very long book, but today, I just want to present the passages for your reflection. Whatever you eventually come up with, realize that the "one another" passages represent real people who you will be spending eternity with- so handle them with care!!! Why? Because that is the way GOD handles you!!!!

From Gary... Bible Reading July 17

Bible Reading  

July 17

The World English Bible

 

July 17

1 Chronicles 13-15

1Ch 13:1 David consulted with the captains of thousands and of hundreds, even with every leader.

1Ch 13:2 David said to all the assembly of Israel, If it seems good to you, and if it is of Yahweh our God, let us send abroad everywhere to our brothers who are left in all the land of Israel, with whom the priests and Levites are in their cities that have suburbs, that they may gather themselves to us;

1Ch 13:3 and let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we didn't seek it in the days of Saul.

1Ch 13:4 All the assembly said that they would do so; for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

1Ch 13:5 So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor the brook of Egypt even to the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim.

1Ch 13:6 David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath Jearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God Yahweh that sits above the cherubim, that is called by the Name.

1Ch 13:7 They carried the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.

1Ch 13:8 David and all Israel played before God with all their might, even with songs, and with harps, and with stringed instruments, and with tambourines, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

1Ch 13:9 When they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.

1Ch 13:10 The anger of Yahweh was kindled against Uzza, and he struck him, because he put forth his hand to the ark; and there he died before God.

1Ch 13:11 David was displeased, because Yahweh had broken forth on Uzza; and he called that place Perez Uzza, to this day.

1Ch 13:12 David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?

1Ch 13:13 So David didn't move the ark to him into the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.

1Ch 13:14 The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house three months: and Yahweh blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that he had.

1Ch 14:1 Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and masons, and carpenters, to build him a house.

1Ch 14:2 David perceived that Yahweh had established him king over Israel; for his kingdom was exalted on high, for his people Israel's sake.

1Ch 14:3 David took more wives at Jerusalem; and David became the father of more sons and daughters.

1Ch 14:4 These are the names of the children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,

1Ch 14:5 and Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpelet,

1Ch 14:6 and Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

1Ch 14:7 and Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphelet.

1Ch 14:8 When the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David: and David heard of it, and went out against them.

1Ch 14:9 Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim.

1Ch 14:10 David inquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and will you deliver them into my hand? Yahweh said to him, Go up; for I will deliver them into your hand.

1Ch 14:11 So they came up to Baal Perazim, and David struck them there; and David said, God has broken my enemies by my hand, like the breach of waters. Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim.

1Ch 14:12 They left their gods there; and David gave commandment, and they were burned with fire.

1Ch 14:13 The Philistines yet again made a raid in the valley.

1Ch 14:14 David inquired again of God; and God said to him, You shall not go up after them: turn away from them, and come on them over against the mulberry trees.

1Ch 14:15 It shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then you shall go out to battle; for God is gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.

1Ch 14:16 David did as God commanded him: and they struck the army of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gezer.

1Ch 14:17 The fame of David went out into all lands; and Yahweh brought the fear of him on all nations.

1Ch 15:1 David made him houses in the city of David; and he prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.

1Ch 15:2 Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them has Yahweh chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister to him forever.

1Ch 15:3 David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of Yahweh to its place, which he had prepared for it.

1Ch 15:4 David gathered together the sons of Aaron, and the Levites:

1Ch 15:5 of the sons of Kohath, Uriel the chief, and his brothers one hundred twenty;

1Ch 15:6 of the sons of Merari, Asaiah the chief, and his brothers two hundred twenty;

1Ch 15:7 of the sons of Gershom, Joel the chief, and his brothers one hundred thirty;

1Ch 15:8 of the sons of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the chief, and his brothers two hundred;

1Ch 15:9 of the sons of Hebron, Eliel the chief, and his brothers eighty;

1Ch 15:10 of the sons of Uzziel, Amminadab the chief, and his brothers one hundred twelve.

1Ch 15:11 David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab,

1Ch 15:12 and said to them, You are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both you and your brothers, that you may bring up the ark of Yahweh, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it.

1Ch 15:13 For because you didn't carry it at the first, Yahweh our God made a breach on us, because we didn't seek him according to the ordinance.

1Ch 15:14 So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of Yahweh, the God of Israel.

1Ch 15:15 The children of the Levites bore the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of Yahweh.

1Ch 15:16 David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers the singers, with instruments of music, stringed instruments and harps and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up the voice with joy.

1Ch 15:17 So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brothers, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brothers, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;

1Ch 15:18 and with them their brothers of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, the doorkeepers.

1Ch 15:19 So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed with cymbals of brass to sound aloud;

1Ch 15:20 and Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with stringed instruments set to Alamoth;

1Ch 15:21 and Mattithiah, and Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps tuned to the eight-stringed lyre, to lead.

1Ch 15:22 Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was over the song: he instructed about the song, because he was skillful.

1Ch 15:23 Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark.

1Ch 15:24 Shebaniah, and Joshaphat, and Nethanel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obed-Edom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark.

1Ch 15:25 So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh out of the house of Obed-Edom with joy.

1Ch 15:26 It happened, when God helped the Levites who bore the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, that they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams.

1Ch 15:27 David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites who bore the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: and David had on him an ephod of linen.

1Ch 15:28 Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of Yahweh with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, sounding aloud with stringed instruments and harps.

1Ch 15:29 It happened, as the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came to the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out at the window, and saw king David dancing and playing; and she despised him in her heart.

From Mark Copeland... An Eventful Sunday At Troas (Acts 20:7-12)

                          "THE BOOK OF ACTS"

                 An Eventful Sunday At Troas (20:7-12)

INTRODUCTION

1. The city of Troas was an important seaport...
   a. Founded before 300 B.C. by Antigonus, a successor of Alexander the
      Great
   b. Located about 10 miles south of the city of Troy
   c. Made a Roman colony by the emperor Augustus (31 B.C. - 14 A.D.)

2. Troas was visited several times during Paul's missionary journeys...
   a. On his second journey, where he was joined by Luke - Ac 16:8,11
   b. On his third journey, having left Ephesus - Ac 20:1; 2Co 2:12-13
   c. Again on his third journey, having left Philippi - Ac 20:6

[It was on Paul's third visit that Luke describes an eventful Sunday for
the church at Troas.  In Ac 20:7, we are first told about...]
   
I. THE ASSEMBLY OF DISCIPLES

   A. ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK...
      1. Literally, "the first of the Sabbath (sabbaton)"
         a. Metaphorically, sabbaton denotes a period of seven days
            (week); 
         b. As used in reference to Jesus' resurrection (cf. Sabbath
            w/ week) - Mt 28:1
      2. And so here, to refer to Sunday, the first day of the week
         a. The day of the week in which Jesus rose from the dead - ibid.
         b. The day of the week in which the church began - Ac 2:1-47
         c. The day of the week disciples were to lay by in store - 1Co 16:1-2
         d. The day which came to be known as "the Lord's day" - Re 1:10;
            cf. Didache 14:1

   B. TO BREAK BREAD...
      1. The reason they came together on the first day of the week
      2. To observe the Lord's Supper - Lk 22:19-20; Ac 2:42; 20:7; 1Co 10:16-17; 11:17-34
      3. A weekly practice continued by the early church - cf. Didache 
         14:1; Apology I, 67

[Assembled on the day of the week precious to early Christians, to
observe a memorial meal instituted by Jesus Himself, the disciples at
Troas had a special treat on that day...]

II. THE PREACHING OF PAUL

   A. THE SPEAKER...
      1. A special guest, along with eight other special guests - Ac 20:4-6
      2. A guest speaker, an apostle of Jesus Christ! - Ac 20:7
      3. Who had established and strengthened churches throughout the
         Mediterranean world

   B. THE SERMON...
      1. We are not told the subject matter, but from what we know of
         Paul...
         a. It could have been the gospel of Christ - cf. Ro 1:14-17
         b. It could have been exhortations to holy living - cf. 1Th 4:1-3
         c. It could have been encouragement to endure persecution - cf.
            Ac 14:21-22
      2. Whatever the subject, it was a long sermon
         a. He continued his message until midnight - Ac 20:7
         b. He later resumed and talked until daybreak - Ac 20:11
         c. Because he was departing the next day - Ac 20:7,11

[What a privilege!  To listen and learn from the apostle Paul!  For
those willing to stay all night, they also witnessed a special treat. 
What first may have appeared to be a tragedy, led to...]

III. THE RAISING OF EUTYCHUS

   A. A SLEEPY YOUNG MAN...
      1. In an upper room with many lamps - Ac 20:8
      2. Sitting in a window, sinking into a deep sleep - Ac 20:9
      3. Overcome by sleep as Paul continued speaking; "on and on" (NIV)
         - Ac 20:9
      4. Perhaps having worked all day, the crowded room, the heat from
         the lamps - all contributing to his drowsiness
 
   B. A LUCKY YOUNG MAN...
      1. The name "Eutychus" means "fortunate, good luck"
      2. Overcome by sleep, he fell from the third story, and taken up
         dead - Ac 20:9
      3. Paul went down, fell on him, and embraced him - Ac 20:10; cf.
         1Ki 17:21; 2Ki 4:34
      4. Paul then said "Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in 
         him." - Ac 20:10; cf. Mk 5:39
      5. Paul then broke bread and ate, talked until daybreak, and
         departed - Ac 20:11
         a. Was this the Lord's Supper? Or a common meal to refresh Paul
            before his journey?
         b. If Luke used Roman time (as many presume), it would have now
            been Monday
         c. "Here the compound "broke bread and ate," signifies an
            ordinary meal, not the Lord's Supper." - Longenecker, The 
            Expositor's Bible Commentary: John and Acts
         d. "The second reference to 'breaking bread' seems to take that
             phrase beyond the Lord's Supper and describes what could 
            well be called a midnight snack." - Gangel,  Holman New 
            Testament Commentary, Acts
      6. With the young man brought in alive, "they were not a little
         comforted" - Ac 20:12
         a. What an understatement! But that is what Luke literally wrote
            (NKJV, ESV)
         b. We would more likely say, "were greatly comforted" (HCSB,
            NASB)

CONCLUSION

1. Truly an eventful Sunday for the disciples in Troas...!
   a. To observe the Lord's Supper, an important event for disciples
      every Sunday
   b. To hear "our beloved brother Paul" share "the wisdom given him"
      - cf. 2Pe 3:15
   c. To witness the raising of young Eutychus from the dead!

2. What can we glean from this eventful Sunday in Troas...?
   a. What day the church assembled for worship, and for what reason
      - Ac 20:7
   b. A confirmation of Paul as a true apostle of Jesus Christ - Ac 20:8-12; cf. 2Co 12:12

And as Gangel put it: "Attend church regularly - especially on Sunday -
and try not to fall asleep."

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2013

Year of the Frog by Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=7&article=2868

Year of the Frog

by	Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

[EDITOR’S NOTE: The following article was written by A.P.’s staff scientist. He holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington and Auburn University, respectively, with emphases in Thermal Science and Navigation and Control of Biological Systems.]

I recently went to a zoo with my family. While in the amphibian building, we noticed a dated video that was playing on the television monitors located throughout the facility. The video spotlighted a campaign to “save the amphibians,” many species of which were reported to be going extinct. The goal was to raise 50 million dollars for the conservation effort. Amphibian conservationists all over the United States are running to the rescue for our little slimy, hopping friends, even having formally declared 2008, “Year of the Frog.” Several zoos have “jumped” on board this effort. The Nashville Zoo’s Web site says that

Earth is facing the largest mass extinction since the disappearance of the dinosaurs. After thriving for over 360 million years, 1/3 to 1/2 of the world’s approximately 6,000 known amphibian species could become extinct in our lifetime. In response to this epidemic, scientists and conservationists formed an Amphibian Conservation Action Plan (ACAP), including research, assessment and conservation in nature. For species that cannot be saved in nature, the plan is to rescue them before they are gone and protect them in captive facilities until the threats to the wild populations can be controlled. Nashville Zoo and other organizations supporting ACAP are participating in a global public awareness campaign, Year of the Frog. The goal of Year of the Frog is to raise awareness among media, educators, corporations, philanthropists, governments and the general public about the vulnerability of amphibians and the extinction crisis they face as well as generate much-needed funds to implement ACAP (“Year of the...,” 2010, emp. in orig.).

Amphibian Ark Communications says that their fundraising goal is to raise 50 to 60 million dollars to save several amphibian species (2010).
Now to the point: Imagine what could be done for the Lord’s cause if people contributed that money to Him instead of the frogs. How many souls could be reached if the conservationists declared 2008, “Year of the Human Soul” instead? Imagine how many missionaries could be sent out with one million dollars, much less 50 to 60 million. How many kingdom-advancing books and tracts could be published? How many television/radio programs could be aired? Imagine what could be done with the man-hours that are being poured into this effort.
Are the amphibians, as well as all living creatures, important to God? Yes. God feeds the birds of the air (Matthew 6:26) and clothes the grass and flowers of the field (Matthew 6:28-30). However, are animals more important than human beings, or even equal to human beings? No. Jesus said in Matthew 6:26 and 12:12 that human beings are “much more valuable” than them. Humans were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26), unlike the animals. This is why humans were given a position of superiority over the created order, to have “dominion” over the animals and “subdue” them (Genesis 1:26,28).
Is it true that God would have us to be good stewards of the blessings that He has given us, including the Earth and its contents? Certainly. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) teaches this principle, and the Old Testament gives specific examples of how God expected the Israelites to be good stewards of the land and wildlife around them. For instance, Deuteronomy 25:4 indicates that oxen were not to be muzzled while stamping out the grain from the chaff (Barnes, 1997), that they might enjoy the fruits of their labor (1 Timothy 5:18). Exodus 23:12 indicates that one of the reasons for the weekly Sabbath day was to give the animals a day of rest. Leviticus 25:1-7 and Exodus 23:10-11 indicate that every seventh year the land was not to be sown or reaped for food, but was to be given a year to recuperate and to provide food for, among others, the animals of the land. So, God expected the Israelites to consider the well-being of the animals, trees, and fields of the land. We are to be good stewards of what God has given us. We should not waste or be destructive with what God has given us. However, note one of the primary rationales for why we should be good stewards of the land. Deuteronomy 20:19 discusses the protocol that the Israelites were to follow in besieging the cities that they would be coming up against in their conquest of Canaan: “When you besiege a city for a long time, while making war against it to take it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an ax against them; if you can eat of them, do not cut them down to use in the siege, for the tree of the field is man’s food” (emp. added). Notice that trees that bore fruit were to be left alone in the making of siege equipment. However, what was the rationale for this? They were to be spared due to their role in sustaining human life. Plants, animals, and the Earth are only important insofar as their value to humanity. They are instrumentally good—not intrinsically good (Warren, 1972, pp. 38ff.).
Many in the animal rights, environmental, and conservation movements simply do not have their priorities straight on what should be the appropriate use of time and money. To pump millions of dollars into saving the animals or the environment rather than souls is to miss the point of our existence. When people sacrifice more of their time and money to try to save the world and the creatures of the world rather than to help the cause of Christ in the world—spreading the Word and serving humanity—then those things have become their idol. Regarding unrighteous men, Paul wrote

because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen (Romans 1:21-25, emp. added).

The rationale of the extremist elements of the conservation, animal rights, and environmental movements is based on a lack of faith in God as the Protector and Sustainer of life—Who is “upholding all things by the word of His power” (Hebrews 1:2-3) and in Whom all things hold together (Colossians 1:17). It is based on faith in the Earth as our savior, serving Mother Nature, instead of Father God. This worldly, faithless rationale says, “We cannot count on God! We need to save the world.” It is based on panic and anxiety, rather than on the peace that we can have through faith in God to care for us (Philippians 4:6-7). It is based on human arrogance, confidently asserting that we have the knowledge to save the world when, even if such were possible, we could hardly have the power to do so. Perhaps God in His infinite knowledge desires that some species cease to exist at certain points in history. Who are we to claim we could know such things?
The extremist rationale is carnally minded. We should not treasure the Earth or its contents by dwelling on them or prioritizing them above other more important matters (Matthew 6:19). We should, rather, “lay up for [ourselves] treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:20-21). The infallible principle of entropy treks onward. The Second Law of Thermodynamics says that it will win every battle and implies that it will ultimately win the war, regardless of what we as humans do to fight it. Simply put, the “earth will pass away” (Luke 21:33). So, we should set our minds “on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).
The Lord told us how this Earth will come to an end. Ironically, it will be a form of global warming. However, it will not be man-made global warming:

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless (2 Peter 3:10-14, emp. added).

REFERENCES

“Amphibian Ark Communications and Fundraising Plan” (2010), Slideserve, [On-line], URL: http://www.slideserve.com/presentation/4878/Amphibian-Ark-Communications-and-Fundraising-Plan.
Barnes, Albert (1997), Barnes’ Notes (Electronic Database: Biblesoft).
Warren, Thomas (1972), Have Atheists Proved There Is No God? (Ramer, TN: National Christian Press).
“Year of the Frog” (2010), Nashville Zoo at Grassmere: Education, [On-line], URL: http://www.nashvillezoo.org/education_year_of_the_frog.asp.

From Jim McGuiggan... I WONDER WHY?

I WONDER WHY?

I wonder why anyone would urge others not to drink even one glass of wine (or whiskey, gin, rum, brandy, vodka)? Well, if they thought God was opposed to it that might lead them to urge non-use. Of course, if that notion couldn’t be proved from scripture then each person would be utterly free to drink intoxicating drinks as often as they wish as long as they don’t drink until they’re drunk. Wouldn’t they? Hmmm.

These drinkers would know the Bible condemns drunkenness so they wouldn’t need lectures on that and they might simply insist on exercising their right to drink intoxicating drinks (why should it be confined to “wine”?) since the Bible doesn’t forbid it. It’s just like food, isn’t it? What God condemns is not eating food—it’s gluttony. Likewise he doesn’t condemn drinking wine or brandy or whiskey—it’s drinking it to drunkenness he condemns. After all, the Bible does say he gave intoxicating wine as a gift to humans to make their hearts glad (Psalm 104:15). Hmmm.

So you see, in the end, it’s all a question about our freedom. As long as we use our individual freedom “responsibly” we can drink intoxicating drinks (“strong drink” of whatever kind we chose).

I don’t know many who would encourage another Christian to drink intoxicating drinks (I hear many of them saying they wouldn’t) and I know many who say that although they don’t touch the stuff they defend the freedom of others to do it. I confess I wonder at such speech. If it’s manifestly a freedom we have, why not encourage others to exercise it—responsibly, of course? Furthermore, if God gave intoxicating drinks for the express purpose of making human hearts glad why not urge our fellows to engage in and rejoice in the gift?

I suspect that in the back of their minds they take into account the ruinous nature of the booze industry, of the multiplied millions in every generation who’ve suffered as a result of the booze industry. I suspect they’re afraid of the seductive nature and power of the judgment-stealing ethanol and don’t want their friends or family to get caught up in the addiction that millions upon millions have become captives to.

Maybe we should encourage our children to drink alcoholic drinks and show them to handle them responsibly. No? I know that a number of government advisory groups in the UK have urged that—in the past. [They don’t talk that way much now, what with the ruin booze is bringing to society in the UK. Now government advisory groups are telling women not to drink even a single glass of wine in a day and children under—(I forget the age) should not be offered any alcohol. The government in Scotland several days ago announced a vigorous attempt at bringing down the Scottish intake of booze. They intend to raise prices yet again and the booze industry people have mounted a protest. The government at Westminster climbed all over the supermarkets last week for their “three for the price of two” sales. They accused them of hurting the country by making booze cheap and too easily available. (Isn’t it almost humorous?) Anyway, if God gave alcoholic wine to humans to make them feel glad and millions are finding it anything but glad-bringing maybe we should teach our children while they're young how to take advantage of God’s gift “responsibly”. That might keep them from becoming one of the multiplied millions of ethanol addicts.]

It’s the non-addicts who drink booze that mask how booze ravages a nation, generates violence, cheapens womanhood, and drives nations into near bankruptcy in the health realm (a third of a million hospital entries in England a year are booze-related) and in the realms of policing, courts, traffic accidents and more.

Because the non-addicts enjoy their whiskey and wine, their brandy and vodka the booze industry is able to say, “See, the problem doesn’t lie with us—it lies with those who aren’t mature enough, who aren’t emotionally stable enough, who aren’t content or happy enough or securely employed. They are the problem, the ones who can’t handle our product which even Christians will tell is a gift from God to make humans glad! We’re the instrument through which God gives his gift. You ought to be thanking us instead of blaming us in the wrong!” [I notice believers always end up talking about “wine” and “beer” when they talk about their “freedom” and the freedom of everyone to imbibe. They never speak of whiskey and the other “strong drink” options. Why do you suppose that is? Is it because it’s easier to get drunk on the “hard tack” than on wine and beer? Millions in Germany are alcoholics via beer and millions in France are alcoholics via wine. But why should the strength of the drink be an issue if I am in control? Whiskey, brandy and gin drinkers galore never get drunk—or at least so seldom that it’s almost never. Does Psalm 104:15 not protect them? Are they not covered in the “strong drink” of the Bible?]

This morning (or was it yesterday?)—6-3-09, the news told us of another study (!) that has shown, they tell us (as if we didn’t already know it), that people who see booze consumed or hear it favourably talked about a lot, they drink a lot more than those who don’t. Fancy that! Two of the most watched programmes in UK television (Eastenders and Coronation Street) are built around bars/pubs. In the thirty minute segments, we’ve been told, that typically there is nearly fifteen minutes in which booze is being drunk either in the foreground or in the background. It’s all so normal, it’s all so pleasant and one thing you never see in either programme is someone drunk! The subliminal message is—whether purposed or not—booze isn’t the problem it’s stupid people—(multiplied millions of them). The stupid people in their millions are the vulnerable people—but what the heck; we’re free to drink what we want as long as we avoid drunkenness.

“All I know is, Jesus made gallons of fermented wine in John 2 even after the people had drunk all the alcohol up.” Hmmm. Are you sure you know that? “He made wine and that’s alcoholic!” Are you sure of that?

 And supposing he did make alcoholic wine does that mean he’d approve of the modern booze industry and the bars? And supposing he did make alcoholic wine does that mean you and I should sustain the modern booze industry?

Jesus’ making some alcoholic wine leaves us free to note the carnage that’s connected with the product of the modern booze industry and then go ahead and buy its product, exercising our freedom and encouraging our people to do the same? Hmmm.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, theabidingword.com.