To drink or not to drink

To drink or not to drink... that is the question...  Religion tells you not to drink - that's what sinners do, but the first miracle Jesus ever performed was to turn water into wine.  Jesus drank - and he never sinned.  So who do we listen to, God or religion?  Be patient with me on this one because this is surely a sensitive subject and definitely one that God would not want any of his babies to stumble over.  The following verses offer us several reference points into the answer you may be looking for...  (From Biblegateway.com)

Matthew 11:19

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁹ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

Matthew 9:11-13

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”  ¹² On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ¹³ But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’^[a] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Luke 5:30-32
New International Version (NIV)

³⁰ But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”  ³¹ Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ³² I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Luke 15:2
New International Version (NIV)
² But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Luke 19:7

New International Version (NIV)

⁷ All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

Romans 14:17-23

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, ¹⁸ because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.  ¹⁹ Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.²⁰ Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. ²¹ It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.  ²² So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. ²³ But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.

Did you catch all of those?  I was unable to reference anywhere in the bible where it blatantly said that Jesus got drunk, but he openly admitted to drinking.  He certainly didn't seem to have any shame in it.  But Jesus also carried along with him what the bible calls the fruit of the spirit, and one of the fruits is self control (I underlined).

Galatians 5:22-23

New International Version (NIV)

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Romans 14:17-23 clearly says that righteousness is not about eating or drinking - its a matter of faith and what we believe.  So if you believe that drinking is a sin - don't do it.  But if you feel the freedom to drink, make sure that you're in like minded company, or have the respect to not drink in front of others that feel it's a sin. Your choice is between you and God. 

***Deep within the holiday season and all of it's festivities, be mindful.  If you have a friend that tends to drink too much, be their watchdog - make sure they stay safe and have a safe ride home.  If that person is you, make sure you have a backup plan and someone who loves you to watch over you.  It's not about rules or religion - it's about being safe and staying alive.  God loves you and has a plan for your life - don't cut his plan short.

Dear Jesus,  I pray that those reading this will have an awareness of what you are speaking to their hearts.  Allow them to be set free of addictions, and brought into total freedom.  Watch over my friends and protect them, assign a watchdog to protect them at times when they can't.  Be a guard and a shield, and a place to call home.  Bind up the broken hearted and give comfort, and rush in with your holy spirit of peace.  Thank you for your son and the exemplary life that he led so that we could be free.  In Jesus name Amen!