Ambivalence about Alcohol ? My Two Cents

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Chris

I just sat with a man whose wife was killed and his children hospitalized by a drunk driver. It was stunning and heartbreaking. Pray for this young family, the in-laws of my good friends, Steve and Toni Hafler.

The experience inspired a rant:

I understand the fact that the Bible?s teaching about alcohol is complicated. I?ve studied it and preached on it. However, I also understand that there is a cavalier attitude toward alcohol consumption in the modern church, especially among younger believers, and it?s alarming. I?m all for interpreting the Scriptures carefully. Yes. But young guns, let me uncork for a minute before you chase your Bible study with a Budweiser and urge others to do the same.

Unless you?ve counseled a worn-out wife about her husband?s alcoholism, unless you?ve comforted a teen whose parents have both been heavy drinkers for as long as he can remember, unless you?ve discipled a new believer trying to throw off his addiction before he loses custody of his child, unless you?ve wept with a woman who has tried and failed to get sober for the better part of two decades, and most of all, unless you?ve looked into the dull eyes of a husband who just an hour ago lost the mother of his two young children to a drunk driver?unless you have some real life experience with the dangers of alcohol?I don?t want to hear about your liberty to drink. I certainly don?t want to hear you encouraging others to drink. It?s time to grow up in your discernment and?compassion and to be a warner rather than a tempter.

Alcohol abuse is one of the defining sins of our day. It?s life, not theory. We can?t afford to be ambivalent about it.?We need a good dose of Proverbs 20:1 and 23:29-35. And we need grace.

Filed under: Contemporary Issues

Source: http://mytwocents.wordpress.com/2012/09/25/ambivalence-about-alcohol/

zeno melanie amaro new air jordans jeff dunham young guns concord safe and sound