Here for the beer – Begin Vroeg Kampe

I am here for the beer

Can the Christian drink strong liquor and wine and really be a Christian?

It is surely a relevant conversation for the Christian. There are several options to consider:

There is NOTHING wrong with drinking, I drink when I want to drink!
There’s nothing wrong with drinking, I just shouldn’t drink too much.
There is nothing wrong with enjoying a drink or two, socially.
For the sake of my testimony and others’ struggle, I will not drink.

1. Many people say - There is NOTHING wrong with drinking -

Without a doubt, it is certainly everyone’s right to drink, but this is certainly not a biblically correct view. Even if your pastor drinks with you. And yes, you don’t have to worry about the Bible. Drink if you want to drink – no one can stop you. But the consequences of such self-centered statements are usually tragic – no one can stop that either. And there is a flood of examples over the centuries of the consequences of such a view.

Crises upon crises upon crises…

I don’t think we can measure or calculate the damage and sadness of alcohol’s devastating effects in the world. Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, and strong drink a noise maker; and whoever becomes intoxicated by it is not wise.

2. Others claim again, there is nothing wrong with drinking, I just shouldn't drink too much.

Well, this is usually a sad excuse for someone who already drinks too much. Because when did I drink too much…? And many “sober” drunk drivers, who “definitely” know when to stop, have hit the hospital and the cemetery, thinking they didn’t drink too much.

3. The occasional drinker is also 100% convinced, there is nothing wrong with enjoying a drink or two socially. [or 3.. 4...5]

Didn’t Jesus then turn the water into wine? Just read the full story yourself before you want to use it to justify drinking. John 2:1–11

Because Jesus certainly did turn it to wine, but it doesn’t say you should drink it. You have a choice. HE also made many other things that are really not good for man – the choice the people have at the wedding is [Jesus Himself] or [more wine]. Mmm, and that’s the choice that everyone will still make today. I want more of Jesus or I want more of the world and the things of the world. Wine was certainly part of the Jew’s daily life, but in the life of Jesus and also the first congregations we see that wine is not part of the daily – and even less the social use of the Christian. In 1 Timothy 3 we see the character of overseer. An overseer must not be a drinker.

The same in Titus 1:7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain

And now the argument is—Look it’s for overseers, it’s not for me! It only proves that the occasional drinker’s mind is not completely fixed on Jesus. Usually the argument for drinking is based only on personal pleasure and not the honour of Jesus.

4. For the sake of my testimony and others' struggle

Then there are the few who seek more from God. Want to be more like Jesus. Want to learn more, want to change more, and just ask Noah, and Samson, wine and strong drink have NEVER made anyone more like Jesus—on the contrary, it is drink that gives the flesh freedom, makes it brave, makes it lust for the “nice” of life. Hear what God says about it.: 1 Corinthians 10:23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. You can drink if you want… Just answer first: Does it make me more like Jesus? Definitely not. Many seekers of God’s justice have perished because of the red glitter of the wine.

And secondly – the Christian has an enormous responsibility to make the invisible Jesus visible in the world – and alcohol will not make this possible. Romans 14:20-22 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.

The Christian’s responsibility towards the gospel trumps all carnal arguments. The people of the world are drowning in drinking—the Christian who loudly preaches the gospel with a beer in hand will not be convincing. How do we want to preach to others when we ourselves have been overcome by something?