By Clifton Angel This will be our
final installment of this series of studies; however, more could be said and
evaluated on this vital topic. Feel free to ask if you have further questions. See then that ye
walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the
days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of
the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess [ASV, “riot”]...
(Ephesians 5:15-18a). Now the works of
the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
... envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I
tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such
things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21). On the surface, it
seems that the only sin involved with drinking, according to these passages, is
the sin of actually being drunk, but concerning drunkenness, a couple of things
must NOT be overlooked in these passages, and reasonable questions must be
asked. In Ephesians 5,
the original terminology includes the process of getting drunk, which would
include the first drink. In Galatians 5,
directly following “drunkenness” are the sins of “revelings” and “such like.”
Remember, “revelings are the social gatherings where the process of drinking
often takes place”. Now, let us all ask ourselves this question: What is
included in “such like”? Whatever is included in “such like” must have some
association with the “works of the flesh” preceding. Is the drinking of alcohol
“such like” taking part in a drinking party (reveling)? Is the drinking of
alcohol “such like” the process of reaching drunkenness? Furthermore, at
what point is a person drunk? Where is the fine line? Is it not true that the
rate of intoxication varies from person to person? How is a person to know at
what point he is “drunk” so that he will have a benchmark to never cross again? Several years ago,
a co-worker of mine would drink beer on his way home from work. I asked: “The
stuff smells horrible; does it not taste bad?” His reply: “Not after the first
one!” I despised his practices, but I am thankful for his response. He proved
to me that just ONE drink can alter a person’s judgment. What benefit are
we going to bring to our lives by drinking, even in small amounts, alcoholic
beverages? What harm are we going to bring to our lives by drinking alcoholic
beverages? Paul said “such like” will keep us out of Heaven.
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