Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Excessive drinking is an issue in contemporary life – a  perfect example

Think of a converted alcoholic. One of the immediate consequences of his becoming a Christian will be his determination never to drink again because of the chaos it has brought to his life, and those close to him, and the unhelpful associations of which it reminds him. He finds, however, that Christians who have never been troubled by alcoholism may drink wine or spirits and thus invite him to do so when they entertain him for a meal. He knows that for him it is wrong. One drink may lead to others and the loss of his self-control. However, because these other Christians are more mature in the faith than he is, he may feel under pressure to conform to their behavior rather than to do what his conscience tells him.

In terms of black and white, no one can say that the drinking of wine and alcoholic beverages is wrong or sinful. We are not in a position to say to others, “You must not drink.” That would be an attack upon their Christian freedom. But if we, in the exercise, in the “liberty,” of our Christian freedom, especially for the sake of our Christian brother who has had a problem with alcohol, if we choose to say, “We must not drink for his sake” that is our choice, as it was Paul’s, not to do anything that creates a problem for others. This is the path of true knowledge and Christian love.

This problem however is not new. Robert Flockhart was a nineteenth-century evangelist. His early life in the army had been marred by heavy drinking. Converted while a soldier in Calcutta in India, he knew at once that drink was no longer to have a place in his life. He describes his experience one Sunday morning soon after his conversion:

“After the agreeable meeting with God’s children in the morning, and hearing the sweet sermon, and the baptism and the Lord’s Supper were over, one of the office-bearers of the church kindly invited me to go and ride along with him . . . to his house, and there dine with him. His house stood about half way between Fort William and Calcutta, and he was governor of the jail at that place. On consideration, however, I decided to refuse his friendly offer. I was but a young convert—my conscience was tender—I was afraid he would ask me to drink; that was my reason, and I was afraid of falling into sin. I was a ‘brand plucked out of the fire,’ and a brand, unlike a green stick, is easily rekindled. So I determined to decline the invitation, and went home to my own house rejoicing. The path of duty is the path of safety.”

What truly loving believer in Christ Jesus would want to deprive a young Christian of that joy and path of safety?

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
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