Bounds of Christian Liberty
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Galatians 5:13-14
A few weeks ago I wrote to you concerning the significant problem of drunkenness and drug abuse in our day. This week I need to write to you about the bounds of Christian freedom. Does the reality of drunkenness and alcoholism mean that Christians should never drink alcohol? Should Christians refuse pain medication because abuse of such pain medication exists? Should Christians always forbid smoking because of cigarette addiction? These are important questions that need to be settled in the hearts of adult Christians so they can live their lives in accord with God’s command and in a state of Christian liberty.
There are two common responses in the Christian church. The first response is to ignore the issue. It’s assumed that drunkenness and addiction are sinful, and ministers naively act like the people in their church never consume alcohol. Most people do consume some alcohol. Ignoring the issue prevents Christian hospitality through people choosing to not host others in their home to prevent them from knowing they have wine on the rack or beer in the refrigerator. Rather than carefully addressing the issue, it is ignored.
Second, in many churches all forms of alcohol and smoking are forbidden as sinful. This second category is typical of Southern Baptist life. This category breaks down into two subcategories. The first is to say the church holds the conviction that no one should drink or smoke because it can appear sinful, cause the weak to stumble, and is a line drawn by the church. I respect this position because those who espouse it are clear that it is a position of the leadership of the church, not the position of God. The second category claims that it is God’s command that all people abstain from all alcohol and all smoking.
I disagree with this position because it is indefensible from scripture. We must never elevate our convictions to become God’s command. As was reviewed in the past, Scripture clearly and constantly condemns drunkenness, but it does not condemn alcohol in general. There are countless examples of Old Testament saints drinking some form of alcohol, most commonly wine. In the New Testament the first miracle of Jesus is the miraculous production of terrific wine for the continuation of a wedding feast (John 2). Wine was used at Passover and consumed by Jesus himself. Wine Is used by Jesus to symbolize His shed blood (1 Corinthians 11:25) at the last supper with His disciples. The parables of Jesus and the book of Revelation speak to feasting in heaven with Jesus, and feasting occasions in the Old and New Testament regularly include wine as a part of the occasion – not for drunkenness, but as a part of the feasting celebration and joy.
Churches forbid any consumption of alcohol for three basic reasons. First, by making strange arguments that somehow the wine of the Old and New Testaments did not actually contain alcohol – it was grape juice “called” wine. This is inconsistent with all the commands against drunkenness and the accusation of unbelievers in Acts 2:13 that the early church Christians were drunk “with new wine” instead of filled with the Holy Spirit. If wine does not contain alcohol, then how are people getting drunk? The Bible gives us a plain record of events that can be understood by those who read it. When it speaks of wine, it means wine. This word has meant the same thing since the dawn of humanity.
Second, that Paul’s commendation to not act in a way that causes the weak to stumble (1 Corinthians 8:7-13) should be universalized into a command that no one should ever consume alcohol. Paul is writing for Christians to be sensitive to the weak conscience of new believers. We should give deference to weak Christians in many matters and keep focus on the main issues of the gospel. We should not be arguing about food or drink when they are still struggling with the nature of Jesus and the forgiveness of sins. Paul could easily have condemned all alcohol consumption here, but he does not. He says it should depend on your context and audience.
Third, churches often forbid all alcohol consumption based on traumatic personal situations. People that fall into alcoholism cause much pain to those around them. Sin destroys. I’m most sympathetic to this position, but it does not give us permission to make scripture say something it does not say.
I believe this particular issue is of great importance due to the universal place of wine and beer at social gatherings. Every Christian will face the question over and over in their life, “Would you like a beer? Can I get you a glass of wine?” How we answer this question matters. If we say, in one way or another, that we cannot because it is forbidden by God, we have just said something that will dramatically undermine a person’s faith in the trustworthy nature of scripture. Any thoughtful person would ask you, “Where does the Bible forbid drinking alcohol?” You will not be able to show them, because it’s not there. Turning convictions into commands undermines the authority of the Bible. If you tell people, “Because the Bible says so…” when it doesn’t say so, you undermine biblical authority. If you choose to hold a no alcohol personal conviction, everyone can respect that, but don’t elevate your conviction to God’s will.
What the Bible does teach is Christian freedom. In Christ we are given a wide latitude of freedom to act as we choose in life. But this freedom is not meant to give opportunity to sin, but opportunity to serve one another in love. Let’s look at some basic important principles of Christian liberty.
First, as stated in 1 Corinthians 8:7-13 our behavior should not cause the weak in faith to stumble. This begins by being aware of your surroundings. This is most applicable at home with children. Our children begin weak in faith and our actions must always strengthen their faith in Jesus, never being a display of hypocrisy. If you become aware that some allowable action of freedom is causing a weak believer to stumble in sin, you should stop that action for the purpose of strengthening their faith.
Second, moderation in all aspects of freedom. Many things that fall into the area of Christian freedom can become sin apart from moderation. This is easily understood with food. We are allowed to consume foods of all types under the new covenant (Acts 10), but if we gorge ourselves leading to obesity, this is gluttonous and sinful. If we starve ourselves, this self-harm is also sinful. The self-control of the Holy Spirit helps us live moderated lives of a generally healthy diet. With alcohol, we must not ever cross the line of drunkenness, but exactly what this means will relate to each person specifically.
Third, we should give deference to other people and institutions in our lives. We choose to give up personal freedoms because of our love for them or because we are under their authority. Here are a few examples. If your spouse would rather you not drink or smoke at all, in deference of love to them, you should give up that freedom. Out of deference to parents, to honor them, we should be willing to give up freedoms. Youths must be subject to their parents’ convictions and the laws of the land concerning controlled substances. If you pledge for some reason that you will abstain from alcohol, you must keep your word and do so. We should pray for wisdom in all things.
In summary, my purpose in writing these two articles is to:
- Keep us away from all drunkenness, which is sin
- Help us to not confuse personal conviction with divine command
- Help us to walk in joyful, Spirit-filled freedom, not in man-made, legalistic law-keeping
As you have questions, please do come by after service and ask.
May the Lord direct our steps as we live with the self-control of the Holy Spirit,
Pastor Vic