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NASB | 1 Timothy 3:3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Timothy 3:3 not addicted to wine, not a bully nor quick-tempered and hot-headed, but gentle and considerate, free from the love of money [not greedy for wealth and its inherent power--financially ethical]. |
Bible Question:
Ref. Romans 14 Jesus and Paul repeatedly direct us to love God and love each other as ourselves. All of the Law and the Prophets are summed up in these two commands. By grace are we saved lest anyone should boast. Paul says we have freedom in Christ and that those who are trying to earn favor with God by "keeping the law" are wasting their time. "Keeping the law" to most of us is the modern day equivalent of "don't drink, don't dance and don't smoke, etc." Romans 14 says we are to keep our interpretation of "freedom in Christ" between ourselves and God, however, we are not to do anything that would cause our brother to stumble. If a deacon or elder, or pastor for that matter, desires to have a glass of wine with dinner for the culinary experience, should he or she be able to do this in moderation in his own home without guilt? And without having to explain to those who are "weak"(still seeking to obey the law in order to find favor with God - Rom. 14:1) in a deacons accountability group. Is a church within Christ's teaching to ask a deacon to abstain from every type alcohol, even in the privacy of his own home if he does not act in any way to cause his or her "brother" to stumble. All of our deacons are screened to meet the requirements for deacons and elders in I Tim. 3. Tithing and abstinence from alcohol are the two issues that are church requirements but not New Testament requirements. What say the Lochman Foundation? |
Bible Answer: During president Clinton's scandal with Monica, the issue "PRIVATE LIFE" and "HIS JOB" became very popular, however; when a person becomes public, there isn't such thing as 'private life.' As christians, the Bible, clearly states that we are the light of the world (Mat. 5:14) and "You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men" 2 Cor. 3:2. If a person is a christian, he/she is to shine before all men. If I behave differently at church than I do at home, I must be a hypocrite; my brothers and sister whom I have felloship with at church should find the same person any time they come into my home. Also, in Romans 14:23 we read: "And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin" Whatever we do as christians has to be out of faith, if not we are condemned. And "blessed is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves." Rom. 14:22 (be it deacon,elder, minister, etc.) God bless you. |