Quote:
Originally Posted by Here Am I
"Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." (1 Corinthians 6:10-12)
All things are lawful for us, but not all things are good to do.
We should allow people to read the word of God, and let the power of the Holy Spirit convict them of their need to forego certain habits. We should not expect that once someone gets saved that they immediately will go out and get a haircut, stop drinking and smoking, and get totally 'right' with God. Sometimes the changes take time.
Let me give you an example:
When I got saved, I was as green as the next babe in Christ. I started going to a local Presbyterian church, and enjoyed the fellowship.
However, due to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, I eventually moved on to a Baptist church, where I could be baptised by immersion, and where I would be fed by the word of God, in the Authorized Version.
The first service I attended was a Wednesday night prayer service. I showed up in a nice blouse and slacks, as I'd dressed in numerous other churches. I noted, immediately, that all the women there were wearing either skirts or dresses. HOWEVER, not one person said one word to me about my choice of clothing, but the Holy Spirit made it very clear to me that I needed to wear more 'womanly' clothing. I started wearing skirts.
Now I wear skirts, exclusively, and only own one pair of jeans for yard work, if necessary.
It did not take someone preaching to me about dressing like a harlot, or someone chastising me over my slacks, it only took a willingness to please the Lord, and to obey the leading of the Holy Spirit to effect a change.
So, all the preaching against wine that seems to be going on here isn't going to make any difference, unless someone is willing to listen to the Holy Spirit, not someone preaching to them on the internet.
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You are forgetting Preach the Word, be instant in season, out of season. Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine but will heap up to themselves... teachers having itching ears.
Teachers such as those that would subvert the flock. Teachers that would teach that which is contrary to the Word of God. Teachers that allow them to do that which seems right in their own eyes.
Quite obvious that is happening today. 'Never mind that the Bible says Look not thou upon the wine when it is... teach me not to look upon it after I' seems to be the general consensus.
Sad that so many want to disregard God's Word concerning abstinence. Sad that they put the bottle to another's lips making them drunken just by the words others read and believe and then get hooked on alcohol.
Ever occur to you that the Holy Spirit speaks through man today?
10-12-2008, 12:31 PM
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