Alcohol in a Complex Society

GOLDEN TEXT: “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” —Proverbs 20:1

ROMANS 13:12-14; 14:13-21

WHEN Paul wrote, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand,” he had reference to the long, dark night of sin and death which has enshrouded the human race since the fall of our first parents. It is the night referred to by the Psalmist, when he wrote, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Ps. 30:5) This nighttime is to be terminated through the establishment of Christ’s kingdom. Christ, in his kingdom, is prophetically referred to as “the Sun of Righteousness,” who will arise “with healing in his wings.”—Mal. 4:2

It is within this dark night of weeping, and during the Gospel Age in the divine plan, that the followers of Jesus have the opportunity of making their calling and election sure to reign with Christ in his kingdom. They are called upon to prove worthy under very severe circumstances. They are bidden to rise above the world and its revelings, and to set their faces steadfastly toward the goal of joint-heirship with Christ.

In our lesson Paul stresses the fact that the time is short in which to prove faithful to the Lord. “The night is far spent,” he wrote. There is no time to waste “in rioting and drunkenness.” Obviously, a faithful Christian does not join in the revelings described by Paul. However, there is a possibility of becoming intoxicated with false doctrines, and becoming unruly in the church of God. The spirit of the world is ever pulling away from sober thinking and true Christian conduct.

The safeguard against this is to “put … on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.” (Rom. 13:14) We are to realize that our time belongs to the Lord, not to self, nor to the world. Our determination should always be to know and to do God’s will. To “put on” the Lord Jesus Christ means to accept him as our Head. This means we are to be guided by his teachings and by his example.

Jesus’ instructions to his followers are very explicit. They are to take up their cross and follow him. The way of the cross is a way of suffering and of death. It is a way contrary to the ways of the world. It is a way of self-renunciation, a daily laying down in sacrifice. It is plain that those who earnestly walk in such a narrow way will have no time for “rioting and drunkenness.”

The way of the cross is a way of love and consideration for our brethren in Christ. Paul indicates that some of the brethren in Rome were judging each other; some taking the position, perhaps, that they were living nearer to the Lord than others. This judgment was based, apparently, on the matter of eating or not eating certain meats which had been offered to idols.

Regardless of the right or wrong involved in the eating of this meat, the spirit of judging was a serious sin. This Paul admonished the brethren to cease doing. Then he endeavored to give them a balanced view of these matters as they pertained to Christian standards and living. Summing up, Paul wrote: “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.”

“The kingdom of God,” Paul wrote, “is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Those who live up to their privileges as prospective kings and priests in the messianic kingdom have joy and peace, the result of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

This experience of joy is described by Paul in Ephesians 5:18: “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be ye filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Here the Lord’s people are pictured as rejoicing in the Lord through fellowship with him and with one another. How much more wonderful this is than the rioting of the world! Truly the Lord has given us a peace and joy of which the world knows not. Let us esteem this heritage as a priceless possession.

The words of our Golden Text have been proven true in countless millions of cases. Today there is evidence of this on every hand. At this time strong intoxicating drink has become more a part of the world than ever before.

QUESTIONS

What is the “night” referred to by Paul in his expression, “The night is far spent”?

What is one of the aspects of the divine plan that is accomplished during this “night”?

What does it mean to put on the Lord Jesus Christ?

What is one of the important guides in all Christian conduct?

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