Subject: To wine, or not to wine? |
Bible Note: Dear Ed, Greetings in the name of Jesus! My brother, I was not accusing you of saying every thing I wrote in my post! However, doesn't it seem that you imply 'holiness' and drinking wine are mutually exclusive? ;-) "Go then, eat your bread in happiness and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works." Ecclesiastes 9:7 NASB. "...for God now accepteth thy works; both the persons of righteous and good men are accepted of God in Christ, and their works done in faith and love, and with a view to his glory; and since they are acceptable in his sight, as appears by his blessing on their labours, and bestowing the good things of life upon them, so it is well pleasing in his sight to make a free and cheerful use of them." John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible. "Let us relish the comforts of life while we live, and cheerfully take our share of the enjoyments of it. Solomon, having been himself ensnared by the abuse of sensitive delights, warns others of the danger, not by a total prohibition of them, but by directing to the sober and moderate use of them; we may use the world, but must not abuse it, take what is to be had out of it, and expect no more." Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible. And referenced in the Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary: "Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart," Acts 2:46 NASB. Why discuss it on a Christian forum? Because Christ did not prohibit wine, and quite possibly consumed some Himself. Any Christian is allowed to chose whether to drink or not, but we are not free to bind others in that which Christ did not bind. My friend and colleague, I pray (and trust!) that my stance on this issue is still considered holy by He that judges the heart of man. Peace and joy to you this wonderful season! In Christ Jesus, charis |