Man out of the loop for a day, far behind the conversation.
Okay I caught up as best I could, so forgive me if I repeat somethings.
I love the fact that the dialog has remained Civil and that Scripture has been utilized.
I wanted to add to the conversation. The BIBLE makes a distinction between WINE & "Strong Drink"
Most time when people talk about Drinking they are not speaking of a bottle of Pinot Noir, they are
at the bar ordering Long Island Ice Tea's LOL! So I can see how one would make the argument that Wine
in moderation is okay. I reserve judgement on the matter of Wine. But Strong Drink on the other hand,
believers shouldn't be drinking the strong stuff. It's primary purpose is to get you drunk.
Someone mentioned the case of Paul writing to Timothy and I think that's a perfect scripture to point to.
Paul said "Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities."
1 Timothy 5:23 Obviously Paul was speaking about drinking wine because of an ailment Timothy had. Not because
Timothy was hanging with friends and wanted to get a "slight" buzz.
I also believe that if you feel the liberty to drink wine, you shouldn't put it out there for other believers
who think you ought not to stumble.
Romans 14:21
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.
--------
FenderJazzMan,
You know I love ya to the end br'er. But I have to disagree in that it's not our job, to point out another brother's area of weakness.
My Charge when I was licensed as a Preacher came from 2 Timothy 4 - Amplified.
1I CHARGE [you] in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who is to judge the living and the dead, and by (in the light of) His coming and His kingdom:
2Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.] And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching.
3For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold,
-----------------------------------------
The Holy Spirit will convict, but God also sent the 5 Fold for the edification of the body of Christ.
Now I understand that this needs to be done in LOVE, but I can't shrink back when I see a brother who claims to be a believer walking in sin, I pray, and I ask for wisdom of how to address the issue. Floaded is right in that alot of times people miss how to do things in alignment with how the Church established order.