Great Isaiah Scroll Directory - documenta-catholica.eu

Winebk.htmdid. It has nothing to do with alcohol. John and Jesus were simply both lied about.2. JESUS DID NOT ATTEND THE LOCAL PUBThe Pharisees complaint (in Mt.9:17) that "your master eats with publicans andsinners" is taken by some to mean that Jesus went with gluttons and winebibbers andshared the same fare and activities with them. A simple reading of the context willshow that Jesus was not with the publicans and sinners doing what they did. On thecontrary the publicans and sinners were with Jesus doing what Jesus did. Many othersinners through the years like Matthew, found that their association with Jesus changedtheir lives. Many in that day and in this day still find Jesus and make him their friend,but on his terms, not on theirs. His terms include the putting away of the things of theflesh. Therefore let us see the publicans and sinners in Matthew's house as being withJesus and not as the Pharisees saw and accused him of having the publican's way oflife. Since I met Jesus beside alcohol there are places I don't go, things I don't do,things I don't listen to, things I don't taste anymore! Thank God he took away from memy dependance on habits at the flesh.3. MODERATIONPhil 4:5 says, "Let your moderation be known unto all men." Drink that can make youdrunk can hardly be used in moderation. Anyone who will occasionally decide that it isa good thing to celebrate with alcohol will confirm that moderation is more thandifficult. Occasional celebrants will occasionally get drunk and not be in control oftheir actions. It is a misuse to apply this verse to alcohol. It would be just as reasonableto apply it to any fleshly excess common to men. Apply it to LSD for instance, as somecan be found to do, or to smoking dope which young people often feel the same wayabout. They only use it with moderation. Or apply it to tobacco or hash, or heroin orspeed or similar things. An application like this allows too much and is obviouslyfaulty no matter how logical it may sound. What is moderation in the use of alcoholicdrink? Each man is left adrift in the obscure realms of existential opinion where humanexperience alone is the criterium of truth. I actually read what was presented as aserious attempt to show Christians should drink alcoholic beverages to relieve thetension of life. In spite of this being contrary to the admonition of the Holy Spirit inEph 5:18. The author advocated up to four bottles of beer every night for the "tired"Christian. Of course most will see this as an extreme not to be found often, but what isto limit "moderate" to four. Another man might consider 5, 8, or 10 bottles moderationand insist on making "his" moderation known to all men!I suggest we follow the tabernacle type and "pour it on the ground." Make the sacrifice!Find your exhilaration in the Holy Spirit and mark and avoid such foolish advisers whopromise liberty while they ensnare the unwary into bondage again.Further the verse under discussion is misapplied as the word moderation translated soin the KJV is "epieikas" meaning suitableness, appropriateness, it is also translatedhttp://www.ao.net/~fmoeller/winebk.htm (13 of 22)2006-08-01 11:49:56