Drunk on Something
For years I heard some
passionate debates about whether or not Jesus made intoxicating wine. I think the real issue isn’t really a curiosity
on the alcoholic content but rather if this situation would create a loophole
for his followers to imbibe. Some want to find an excuse to indulge their physical
desire. It isn’t just this passage however
that gets twisted.
The effects of alcohol, and other such drugs,
have a biblical purpose to be used to provide relief of physical suffering and
for medicinal purposes (Proverbs 31:6, 1st Timothy 5:23). Folks however want to have the effect without the
purpose. The use is a justification rather than a legitimate reason. But God’s people are not to be controlled by a
substance but rather by the Spirit (Ephesians 5:8).
It’s sad because in
the debate we often lose that principle. I’ve seen some of the most adamant teetotalers
that take pain medicine like it’s going out of style. We somehow seem more comfortable with misuse
that comes from a pharmacy rather than a liquor store. It is estimated that there are over 8.6 million
prescription medicine abusers. The
medical purpose has been overtaken by the physical desire. It not always the substance that makes something bad, it is how it is used and if it controls
me.
That should make us
think about some other physical things in our lives. Do we use food for the nourishment
of our bodies or in gluttonous abandon?
Is the caffeine in our coffee a nicety or a necessity? Are our sexual desires
in accordance with God’s purpose or with the lust of the flesh?
All things are
lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me,
but I will not be mastered by anything. Food
is for the stomach and the stomach is for food, but God will do away with both
of them. Yet the body is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is
for the body.
1st Corinthians 6:12-13
Instead of trying to
find the right amount we should be trying to find the right purpose. Instead of trying to find an exception to the
rule, we should search for way to be more Godly. Are our bodies used for personal
pleasure or the glorification of God?
The desire of our physical
bodies should never be used to justify putting our eternal soul in jeopardy!
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