Thank you for explaining why social drinking is wrong
Question:
I have been reading and re-reading the articles on your website that pertain to social drinking. I've been surprised at the lack of articles that exist (at least through a Google search) that really address the issue.
Having been "raised in the church," so to speak, I have always "known" that drinking is sinful, and have abstained (with a few exceptions in my college years, for which I'm grateful for the opportunity to have repented of). I could not have explained myself, though, against the arguments that proponents of social drinking use. My sister, raised in the same circumstances as I, has recently decided that social drinking (i.e., one glass of wine over dinner) is just fine.
I just wanted you to know that I appreciate your efforts and that they will be of great use to me as I prepare to give an answer for my convictions.
Answer:
Thank you for taking the time to let me know that the articles were useful to you. It is good to know that they are encouraging others to live faithfully.
It has long been a goal of mine to tackle and explain issues as clearly as I can. I recall from my teenage years asking why certain things were wrong and getting vague answers. I also remember some of my favorite Bible classes being those where the teacher made us prove things that we had always taken for granted.
I can't say that I have always been successful. Some of the questions that I have received have caused me to do a lot of digging for which I am grateful. Others leave me feeling that I missed some critical point, so I didn't answer well enough. Of course, there are always those that no matter what is said or how clearly it is said, the answer is never good enough; but that comes with the territory. The important thing is helping people better understand the message God has given us.
Pass the word to your friends, neighbors, and even your enemies. I hope that what everyone finds will improve their walk before the Lord. If I can be of further service, just write.
"If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen" (I Peter 4::11).
