To Drink or Not To Drink? Who’s To Judge?

9-24am

Not so long ago, a church in Cape Town had a wine tasting after their Sunday service. Prior to the event, the pastor explained their reasoning behind it. The aim was to reach unchurched people in the area. Although I wasn’t there, I’m told it was all done very professionally, in keeping with the connoisseur  wine heritage that comes with the Cape.

But once news of it hit the social media, there was no small amount of criticism. I have to admit that I put my opinion in, mainly because my point of reference is from alcoholism in my family. My older brother, Arnold,  died because of alcohol. So naturally, I’m cautious. I won’t want to put it in anyone’s way. It could trigger something addictive that sets them on a path of destruction.

But yesterday I read Romans 14 and was silenced on the matter. I’ve taken selected verses…

The weak and the strong

“1.  Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarrelling over disputable matters. ² One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. ³ The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. ⁴ Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

¹⁰ You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. ¹¹ It is written:

¹² So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

¹³ Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling-block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

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.”

Great message from the apostle Paul. What I really landed on was Verse 22:

 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.

That is applicable to so many things in life. God knows. He knows my background – he knows my thoughts. Be careful what you write on social media. Best to keep quiet. We who follow Christ hold it in our hands to cause division between others in the church. Best to keep quiet.

Good lesson! I love that the Bible has the answer to so many of life’s issues. That’s why I read it!

So I’ve got a full day ahead, hence the early blog.

When we got back from Zanzibar, the cat, Truffles was very cross with us. She made an appearance, looked at us scornfully and left. Yesterday, I couldn’t find her ANYWHERE. I gave up in the end knowing she would come when she was hungry. We have people coming to stay in the cottage for the weekend, so I went across their to put fresh linen on the bed. Imagine my surprise,…there she is just chilling…ignoring my calls…sulking, I guess…

Love my cat!

Keep the smile going!

God bless you!

In His Grip,

Helga xx 🙂

Gratitude Pic…such a good read while I was on holiday…