Lay hands suddenly on no man,
neither be partaker of other
men's sins: keep theyself pur.
Drink no longer water, but use
a little wine for they stomach's
sake and thine often infirmities.
Some men's sins are open beforehand;
and some men they follow after.
Likewise also the good works of
some are manifest beforehand:
and they that are otherwise
cannot be hid.
1Timothy 5:22-25
It is interesting that in the middle of Paul's advice to Timothy that he would suddenly address Timothy's health issue. Why? First, Timothy had a stomach issue and often this issue of poor stomach health had to do with water. Remember, the water did not come to each house as it does today, and the water did not have the cleanliness that it does today, causing many to have stomach illness. This is one reason that often the water was diluted with 20% wine. In the military we carried iodine pills for our canteens for the same reason. If we took water for our canteens from a stream it may be unhealthy and iodine would clean up the water. But there is more to this: The Holy Spirit was inspiring Paul to write so this is not some uninspired insert by Paul. We have this similar problem today, as in some Churches that will not use wine (and that is ok), and say to use wine is wrong (that is not ok), as this is more holy to stay away from wine. It is not! In Paul's day asceticism was abounding and the superstitions that were associated with this principle, or pretences that this was a superior holiness, and that abstinence from even those things declared to be lawful was condemned. Now, to drink alcoholic beverages and get drunk is wrong and even if drinking alcoholic beverages brought on condemnation is wrong. Timothy was admonished to keep himself pure so he must take care in all that he does. This is true of you and me today. Example: I like wine, have wine with dinner sometimes, even a beer, or another alcoholic drink. Not to get drunk, not to imbibe until my mind is a stupor, no, I enjoy tea, coffee, milk, cokes, and some alcoholic beverages. Now, if I invite people over I do not go around and hide my alcoholic beverages, that would be false pretence. I don't offer any alcoholic beverages to anyone that is opposed to this type of drink, (I do the same for soft drinks, i.e., coke, pepsi, etc., that people do not drink for whatever reason), so this means I must take care to know what is best for me to serve. I also do not make a big deal out of it, as though I have the right way, and others the wrong way and do not throw philosopy, or theology to prove my position. Love for my brothers and sisters demands that I know what is best for the situation.
As ministers of the Gospel then we must consider how we speak, and how we act, even though at times a person may be considered inappropriate and if true and this is brought to a person's attention; then he/she must change. We must take heed to ourselves and to the doctrine delivered once by the Apostles, and others the Holy Spirit inspired to write. Timothy was placed among many snares, several different opinions theologically, and even among the philosophies of the Greek that they held so dear, and this is true of us today for we are struck on all sides by Atheism, Evolution, Abortion, and a pluralistic society that holds that everyone has truth and there is no single truth. We must hold to Scripture, it is the instrument that must be at the foundation of our conversations, our actions, in our times of entertainment, amusement, and even in our adornment, our dress. God's word must be written upon our souls enabling us to meet the challenges of this culture and with all the ....isms.. that confront. We are to bring forth fruit and this we can do if we allow ourselves to convert to Jesus Christ and live Authentic Christian lives.
Legalism has no place in the Christian Church, in our lives, and if need be, we must thresh out our minds, our beliefs and bring them into conformity with Scripture. We are the hands, feet, the mouths, for our Savior Jesus Christ, the Gospel, this is our responsibility that God has placed upon all His children. Will you meet it? I pray that this will happen.
And thou shall speak my words
unto them, whether they
will hear, or whether they will
forbear; for they are most
rebellious.
Exekiel 2:7
You are the light of this world
Richard L. Crumb
No comments:
Post a Comment