On Drinking

This is a touchy topic. But it is one that must be touched.

By drinking, I do not mean the ubiquitous water bottle.

I mean alcohol. Beer. Wine. Liquor.

Make no mistake; alcohol is a gift from God. Jesus’ first miracle provided wine, a lot of it. Wine is at the heart of our sacramental union with Christ. It is at the center of Paradise’s promise. (Isaiah 25:6)

But it also can be and is a problem for followers of Jesus, especially leaders.

Watch it. 

Appropriate alcohol consumption rests between Baptists and Lutherans.

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Too much drinking makes you sloppy. Too much drinking makes you more careless with other sin. Too much drinking makes you a bore. (Drinking ultimately becomes a very self-centered activity.) Too much drinking makes you vulnerable to genetic predispositions to alcohol problems.

Watch it.

And remember, others are watching you.

Watch it.