March 18, 2024

I heard that some local bars were serving drinks yesterday morning as many got an early start to celebrating St. Patrick's Day.    It is sad that alcohol - and its obvious inclusion of drunkenness - is a required component to  celebrations.  Although St. Patrick's Day was originally a religious holiday, hardly any consider the meaning of the day.   Christ is not honored by the day. Patrick's legacy is not being respected.

I'm certainly not going to tell anyone that they should not drink alcohol but I will join in repeating Ephesians 5:18 which commands us "do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit..."    Drink but just don't get drunk would be the line (hmmm?).   But, what is "drunk?"   Ask an alcoholic and very few would consider themselves drunkards.   A judge must always come from outside what is being judged.  The best way to determine "drunk" is really as simple as comparing it to "what is sober?"  For many, one drink is very likely no longer "sober."  

I  know I'm stepping on some toes here...    It is interesting that Paul doesn't just say "do not get drunk on wine" but he gives a "do this instead" - He says, essentially, to instead get "drunk" on the Spirit (we might also notice the obvious connection between hard liquors that are called "spirits" and the Holy Spirit that we are to be filled with).  

Can you do both?  Can you drink alcohol and be filled with the Spirit?   Ephesians 5 would seem to imply "no."    Sorry casual drinkers... one more beer or glass of wine probably means less of God.   I encourage those that drink, really study this passage about drinking wine and being filled with the Spirit;  do yourself a favor here.    Consider what Paul says after saying "be filled with the Spirit":   addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Eph. 5:19-21).  I don't spend time in bars but I am highly suspect that I would not experience anything like that in the local Gretna taverns.  

Following that, Paul speaks to husbands and wives, children and parents, masters and servants.   He gives instruction on a good, Godly life after saying we should be filled with the Spirit (and not being drunk on wine).   Is it a coincidence that drunkenness destroys marriages, destroys parent/child relationships, and leads to job and money issues?    I would suggest not as Paul completes that entire line of thinking with putting on the armor of God....  noting that we "wrestle against the spiritual forces of evil."  The Spirit represents a key to the armor (take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication, Eph. 6:17-18).  

As a pastor, my advice would be this:  If the world is doing it that should always be a warning and give pause.  Ask, "What does God say in His Word?"  Then ask, "What does God really say in His Word, not what do I want Him to say?"   The real test then comes in obedience. . .   if the Spirit convicts you, and you choose to not obey, you are not being "filled with the Spirit."   

Sunday morning during the worship service will be the annual Palm Monday kid's program (parents, see note on practice below).