GRACE NOT A LICENSE TO SIN

 

August 15, 2011

NO EXCUSE FOR SIN – GRACE NOT A LICENSE TO SIN.

The most common sham/mistake in Christianity is using the grace of God to override the Word of God. Many Christians knowingly break God’s word then think it’s okay because they are under grace. Jesus said he didn’t come to destroy the law but to fulfill it and that the new covenant of love, grace, and mercy still is held together by the old law…Matt 22:40. The Mosaic law made the Jewish people obligated to follow them, the new law of love allows us room to stumble without having the wrath of God breathing down our necks, but in no way does it allows us to to act improper and think all is forgiven. Just b/cus we have grace & mercy does not mean we now have a license to sin. Far from that!! Only those who OBEY will inherit the kingdom. That’s why the fallen angels were removed… b/cus they did not obey, & the bible says it. God wants those who will willingly obey and have faith (faith & works). We will replace the fallen angels… but that’s another subject.
Let’s look at all the scriptures that pertain to this to dispel the confusion among Christianity. Scripture: “What shall we say then? SHALL WE CONTINUE IN SIN THAT GRACE MAY ABOUND? CERTAINLY NOT! HOW SHALL WE WHO DIED TO SIN LIVE ANY LONGER IN IT? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, EVEN SO WE ALSO SHOULD WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, THAT OUR OLD MAN WAS CRUCIFIED WITH HIM, that the body of sin might be done away with, THAT WE SHOULD NO LONGER BE SLAVES OF SIN.” Romans 6:1-6  Look what Jesus says about slaves of sin, Scripture: “Jesus answered them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, WHOEVER COMMITS SIN IS A SLAVE OF SIN. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.’” John 8:34-35
& this is what a lot of Christians don’t seem to understand. The Bible says to WALK IN THE NEWNESS OF LIFE, and also says to WALK in the Spirit, b/cus walking is a continual thing. Once we stop walking, we are no longer in the Spirit, & we are back in the flesh, subject to death. It’s like walking to the store. If we stop walking, we’ll never get to the store. We’ll never get to where we going. We’ll never attain to Righteousness if we stop walking in the Spirit. Scripture: “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; ONLY DO NOT USE LIBERTY AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FLESH, but through love serve one another. all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:13-16  And indeed Jesus came to fulfill and establish the law, not destroy it, Scripture: Jesus says: “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I DID NOT COME TO DESTROY BUT TO FULFILL.” Matthew 5:17
So if that’s the case, what is the difference between now and then? For those who receive God’s grace, like you said Carlos, we do not sin, we walk in the Spirit, but should we make a mistake, we will be o.k., as Jesus says in this Scripture: “My little children, these things I write to you, SO THAT YOU MAY NOT. And IF anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. Now by this we know that we know Him, IF WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS.” 1 John 2:1-3 So, even tho Jesus is the propitiation for our sins, we STILL have to keep His Commandments.  And when we do the Scripture says: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not WALK according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS has made me free from THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH.” Romans 8:1-2 You see how there are 2 laws here? Here’s another Scripture that mentions 2 laws: “Where is boasting then? It is excluded. BY WHAT LAW? OF WORKS? NO, BUT BY THE LAW OF FAITH.“ Romans 3:27 Scripture: “Do we then make void the law through faith? CERTAINLY NOT! ON CONTRARY, WE ESTABLISH THE LAW.” Romans 3:31
Scripture: “FOR SIN SHALL NOT HAVE DOMINION OVER YOU, for you are not under law [of sin & death] but under grace [Law of the Spirit of Life aka Law of Righteousness]. WHAT THEN? SHALL WE SIN BECAUSE WE ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW [of sin & death] BUT UNDER GRACE [Law of Righteousness]? CERTAINLY NOT! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, YOU ARE THAT ONE’S SLAVES WHOM YOU OBEY, whether of sin leading to death [in the law of sin & death], or of obedience leading to righteousness [in the Law of Righteousness aka the Law of the Spirit of LIfe]? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, YET YOU OBEYED FROM THE HEART that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin [law of sin & death], you became slaves of righteousness [Law of Righteousness aka the Law of the Spirit of Life].” Romans 6:15-18
Realize, both laws (the law of sin & death and the Law of the Spirit of Life aka the Law of Righteousness), both are the same law meaning they both cover the 10 commandments, but 1 law (the law of sin & death) is governed in the flesh, & the other law (Law of the Spirit of Life aka the Royal Law of Righteousness) is governed in the Spirit. In the Law of the Spirit of Life (as long as you walk according to the Spirit, which means you have to do away with the things in the flesh & continue to keep the commands), then if you make a mistake, God is gracious towards you & you will still live b/cus he will pardon your sins, tho you must continue to walk in the Spirit. In the law of sin & death, there is no room for mistakes. If you sin once you break the commands & are subject to death. This is the difference between the TWO laws. Same law, different outcome. In one law you have grace & mercy (the Law of the Spirit of Life aka the Royal Law of Righteousness) & in the other law you don’t (the law of sin & death). See the Scripture: “For what the law [of sin & death] could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh [born through sinful flesh], on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh [by fulfilling the works of the law perfectly], that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not WALK according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:3-4 See what the scripture says about the Law of the Spirit of Life aka the Law of Righteousness (the Royal Law), to those who decide that they can still sin: “If you really fulfill the ROYAL LAW [of the Spirit of Life aka the Law of Righteousness] according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ YOU DO WELL; BUT IF YOU SHOW PARTIALITY, YOU COMMIT SIN, AND ARE CONVICTED by the law [of sin & death] as transgressors. For whoever shall KEEP THE WHOLE LAW [of sin & death], AND YET STUMBLE IN ONE POINT, HE IS GUILTY OF ALL. For He who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law [of sin & death]. So speak and so do as those [in the Spirit] who will be judged by the LAW OF LIBERTY [which is the Law of the Spirit of Life aka Law of Righteousness]. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” James 2:8-13
So, here is the fulfillment of the law (meaning the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus fulfilling the law of sin & death)… Scripture: “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second IS LIKE IT: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40 Those were the commandments that were told in of OLD, in the old testament in Deuteronomy 6:5, Deuteronomy 10:12, Deuteronomy 11:13, Deuteronomy 30:6, & Joshua 22:5.  Scripture: “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Romans 13:8-10 Scripture: “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘LOVE WILL COVER A MULTITUDE OF SINS.’ Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, MINISTER IT TO ONE ANOTHER, AS GOOD STEWARDS of the manifold GRACE of God. IF ANYONE SPEAKS, LET HIM SPEAK AS THE ORACLES OF GOD. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4: 8-11 The people who are doing that don’t sound like people who are busy sinning and living in the flesh, but are people who are busy doing the work of God and walking in the Spirit.
Here’s more fulfillment of the law… Jesus says in this Scripture: “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; ABIDE IN MY LOVE. IF YOU KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS, YOU WILL ABIDE IN MY LOVE, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” John 15:10  Scripture: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, IF GOD SO LOVED US, WE ALSO OUGHT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER. NO ONE HAS SEEN GOD AT ANYTIME. IF WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER, GOD ABIDES IN US, AND HIS LOVE HAS BEEN PERFECTED IN US. BY THIS WE KNOW THAT WE ABIDE IN HIM, AND HE IN US, BECAUSE HE HAS GIVEN US HIS SPIRIT. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:7-16
Scripture: “Now by this we know that we know Him, IF WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. HE WHO SAYS, ‘I KNOW HIM’ AND DOES NOT KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, IS A LIAR, AND THE TRUTH IS NOT IN HIM. BUT WHOEVER KEEPS HIS WORD, TRULY THE LOVE OF GOD IS PERFECTED IN HIM. By this we know that we are in Him. HE WHO SAYS HE ABIDES IN HIM OUGHT HIMSELF ALSO TO WALK JUST AS HE WALKED. Brethren, I WRITE NO NEW COMMANDMENT TO YOU, BUT AN OLD COMMANDMENT WHICH YOU HAVE HAD FROM THE BEGINNING. THE OLD COMMANDMENT IS THE WORD WHICH YOU HEARD FROM THE BEGINNING. Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. HE WHO LOVES HIS BROTHER ABIDES IN THE LIGHT, AND THERE IS NO CAUSE FOR STUMBLING IN HIM. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and WALKS in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” 1 John 2:3-11
God shows GRACE & mercy on us, so we must also show mercy on others. This is the fulfillment of the commandments.  See the Scripture: “And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, ‘Teacher, WHAT SHALL I DO TO INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE?’ He said to him, ‘WHAT IS WRITTEN IN THE LAW? What is your reading of it?’ So he answered and said, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ And He said to him, ‘You have answered rightly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE.’ But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ Then Jesus answered and said: ‘A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?’ And he said, ‘He who showed mercy on him.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’ Luke 10:25-37 Scripture: “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” 1 John 3:17
How is loving one another fulfilling the commandments? Because when we love one another, we love Him, and we are able to fulfill all the commandments in love (remembering that God is love, so we are able to abide in Him), as long as we walk in the Spirit, and in our faith in Jesus Christ… this is faith with Works (of love). How is love works? B/cus think about it. When you do something for someone and get paid for it, that is work. But when you do something for someone without pay, that is love. Faith without works is dead. “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? CAN FAITH SAVE HIM? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body [an act of love], what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James 2:14-17 “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” James 2:24 And those works are indeed the fulfillment of the commandments / the fulfillment of the law!!  Scripture: ” Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, ‘Which is the first commandment of all?’ Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ THERE IS NO OTHER COMMANDMENT GREATER THAN THESE.’ So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, IS MORE THAN ALL THE WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS AND SACRIFICES.” Mark 12:32-33 B/cus we are made in the image of God, & no one has seen God at anytime, when we love our neighbor, we are also loving God and fulilling the Royal Law. This is why love is the fulfillment of the law.
It does not excuse us to go sin, as the Bible says, there is no excuse for sin. Scripture: “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, BUT NOW THEY HAVE NO EXCUSE FOR THEIR SIN.” John 15:22 Those who try to make an excuse for sin, or use Christ as an excuse to sin (as if Grace excuses them to sin), the Scripture says: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who SUPPRESS THE TRUTH IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, SO THAT THEY ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE, because, ALTHOUGH THEY KNEW GOD, THEY DID NOT GLORIFY HIM AS GOD, nor were thankful, BUT BECAME FUTILE IN THEIR THOUGHTS, AND THEIR FOOLISH HEARTS WERE DARKENED.” Romans 1:20-21 So, how should we behave? Scripture: “For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— AS FREE, YET NOT USING LIBERTY AS A CLOAK FOR VICE, BUT AS BONDSERVANTS OF GOD. Honor all people. LOVE THE BROTHERHOOD. FEAR GOD. Honor the king.” 1 Peter 2:15-17

What is Christian Liberty?

 

by Dr. Ken Matto

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

(Gal 5:13 KJV)

DID YOU KNOW THE TERM "CHRISTIAN LIBERTY" DOES NOT EXIST IN THE BIBLE?

 

It is another created term!!!

 

 What exactly is this liberty? Is it a license to sin? Does it mean we have the freedom to engage in activities which others cannot because we are free? When speaking of this liberty it is necessary to go back to Scripture and define the term as it is portrayed in Scripture, not in our minds.

 

What This Liberty is Not

There are Christians which I personally know who feel it is okay to smoke and drink alcoholic beverage. One pastor who lived close to me feels it is fine to drink beer or highballs and if women wear short skirts, it is okay because they are exercising their liberty. This pastor I heard on the radio on a Sunday morning and it nearly jolted me out of bed. Is it possible to smoke or drink to the glory of God?

We can also include in the arena of evil, lotteries and gambling. Let us not leave out football pools and on the job lotteries. If a Christian partakes in these, they have compromised their testimony to their co-workers. Where then is the separation of the believer? Sunday morning with a bunch of head knowledge? A method I adopted years ago when someone came around the office with a little league raffle or a boy/girl scout raffle, I would just give them the dollar and refuse the ticket. Two things would become evident: There was no gambling and it showed the Lord’s people are not cheap.

 

(1 Cor 10:31 KJV) Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

 

(Col 3:17 KJV) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

 

These verses explicitly teach that our whole lives are to be exemplary since whatever we do, we are doing it in the name of Christ and to the glory of God. I personally would have a hard time going into a liquor store for beer or tobacco products but if a person walks in the flesh, I guess there is no conscience about it. God commands separation of the believer from the ways of the world. God never leads us into evil, but from evil and God does not teach us to engage evil in moderation either.

 

How can a parent teach a child about biblical things when there is always a six pack in the refrigerator or a pack of cigarettes or cigars on the table in the living room? That sends mixed messages to the child and will stunt their spiritual growth. I wonder how many parents are spiritual enough to tag their children as weak believers so as not to weaken their faith with their "enjoyable" sins. (1 Cor 8:12 KJV) But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. If you have a believing child, then they are brethren and when you fulfill your lusts of the flesh, you sin against them. This liberty is not license to begin a life of self-pleasing actions but this liberty is the beginning of a dedicated life of service to God. Worldly actions like smoking and drinking are a bondage, so how can one classify it as freedom? Very simple, from a point of biblical illiteracy and ignorance of God’s perfect law of liberty.

 

What This Liberty Is

When we begin to speak of this liberty, we must define the term associated with it. The term "liberty" in the New Testament is the Greek word "eleuqeria" (eleutheria) which means freedom or liberty. It is used 11 times in the New Testament:

 

In the following verses it refers to freedom from sin:

 

(Rom 8:21 KJV)

Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

 

Since the Christian has obtained freedom and liberty from corruption, so when the believers are glorified, then the creation shall be freed from the corruption it now suffers because of man’s sin.

 

2 Cor 3:17 (KJV)

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

 

If any person does not have the Holy Spirit, then they are unsaved and still in bondage to the law to which they must give account on the last day.

Those who are saved have the Holy Spirit living within them and because of grace, they are freed from the law.

 

Gal 5:13 (KJV)

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

 

God is warning us that just because we have been freed from both the keeping of the ceremonial law for salvation and its eternal penalty for not keeping the law, we are not to turn that into a "free thinking" Christian lifestyle. We are still bound to be obedient to God’s word

 

1 Pet 2:16 (KJV)

As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

 

The word "maliciousness" may also be translated "evil, badness, wickedness, trouble." God is again warning us to use the freedom of Grace in the proper context in which He has given it and not to use it any way we feel like.

 

2 Pet 2:19 (KJV)

While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

 

Here God is warning the Christians that false teachers always promise some form of liberty. The type of liberty they teach is not the liberty which God has given to His children. The liberty the false teachers bring is freedom from God’s law with the intent of a life of self-absorption and independence from God in the ultimate sense.

 

In the following verses it refers to freedom from the requirements of the law:

 

Gal 2:4 (KJV)

And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

 

Here God is warning us about false brethren who tend to come into the flock and once again desire to enslave the Christian in ceremonial law keeping. The unbeliever comes into the modern church and attempts to bring rituals so people only think they can worship God through some formal liturgy.

 

Gal 5:1 (KJV)

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

 

Here God is again warning the Christian to stand in the liberty of Grace and not to be entangled in the yoke of bondage. Since Christ has come and paid the penalty for His elect, there is no more need to become involved in the sacrifice system of the law.

 

James 1:25 (KJV)

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

 

Here God is telling us that those who are truly saved will continue in the work which God has given to each believer. The idea of intentional effort to look into the law of liberty is conveyed.

 

James 2:12 (KJV)

So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

 

Here we are being warned to walk properly in our Christian walk or else God will judge our actions and it will bring consequences in our lives. The true believer will never come into judgment for any sins because they were all atoned for by Christ but there is always divine chastisement for our misdeeds in our Christian walk.

 

When I speak of verses which say we have freedom from the law, it does not mean we are independent of the law of God rather it means that we need not fulfill the requirements of the law for salvation because the penalty for sin demanded by God’s holy law was satisfied by the vicarious atonement of Christ on behalf of His elect. So far we have looked at nine verses and not one of them hinted that we have the freedom to engage in evil. (Smoking and drinking are evil!) For those Christians who feel this liberty means they can partake of the ways of the world again, here is the verse which applies to them:

 

Prov 26:11 (KJV)

As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.

 

Where did we ever get the notion that Christ went to the cross to die for our sins so we could go right back and enjoy sin again. There is no such thing as a "redeemed sinner" in the biblical sense. Either you are redeemed by the blood of Christ and walking in His statutes or you are still a sinner on your way to hell. You can’t have it both ways.

 

Freedoms the Christian can enjoy:

Freedom from the penalty of eternal damnation

Freedom from the fulfillment of the demands of God’s holy law for salvation

Freedom not to sin and entangle ourselves in evil again

Freedom from the fear of death

Freedom from not having to face the judgment of God

Freedom from religious rituals

Freedom to be part of the Great Commission without guilt of past sins

Freedom to worship God without traditional or religious overtones

Freedom to approach the throne of grace boldly

 

It is a terrible shame that so-called Bible believing Christians take a beautiful term like "liberty" and completely redefine it in diametrical terms to the Scriptures so they may partake in their pet sins. It is ironic that these same sin seeking Christians will be the first to point out the sins of someone else while justifying their own pet lusts.

 

Smoking and drinking are as incongruous to the Christian walk as fornicating and murder. After all, if God had granted the liberty to engage in sins again, then how come there are still consequences attached to those sins? Can one drink alcohol and not expect liver problems? Can one smoke and not expect oral or lung cancer? Can one gamble and not expect to go broke? Pick your sin and then try to convince yourself there are no aftereffects.

 

Liberty is a gift within the gift of Free Grace and not a sin propellant!

 

 

Did Jesus Turn Water Into Wine?

Chuck Northrop The obvious answer to the question, "Did Jesus turn water into wine?" is yes. At the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee recorded in John 2:1-11, Jesus turned water into wine. However, this question does not usually ask what is meant by it. What is usually meant is "Did Jesus make intoxicating wine?" And the answer is no. Let me explain. The word translated "wine" in English ( in Koine‚ Greek) can refer to either alcoholic or non-alcoholic wine. At present, the term "wine" is almost used exclusively of alcoholic wine, but let us never be guilty of interpretation based solely upon modern day definitions. Consider these examples of the word "wine" being used in Scripture with reference to unfermented grape juice.
 

•  Joel 1:10 says "The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth." (This refers to grapes dried up in the fields, which could not be intoxicating.)
•  Isaiah 65:8 says "Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all." (Alcoholic wine in the cluster? No, the juice of the grape while in the cluster could not be intoxicating.)
•  Jeremiah 48:33 says "And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting." (The wine of fresh squeezed grapes coming out of the winepress is grape juice and could not be fermented.) Certainly other passages could be considered, but these are sufficient to illustrate that the word "wine" can refer to alcoholic wine or simply grape juice.

"So, how do we know when it refers to grape juice or intoxicating wine?" The context in which the word is found will determine whether it refers to alcoholic or non- alcoholic wine. So, consider the context. The immediate context of John 2:1-11 is quite clear. The guests at the marriage feast of Cana were able to discern between the quality of the drink that the Lord had made and that which had already been served. If intoxicating wine had been served, and people "well drunk" or "drunk freely" (American Standard Version,1901) of it (verse 10), then they would not have had such keen discernment. Though the amount is not specified as to what they had previously drunk, if they consumed the six waterpots that Jesus had the servants fill with water and which contained "two or three firkins apiece" (verse 6), then they would have consumed somewhere between 106 to 162 gallons of booze! This is far more than enough to make the most casual drinker drunk. Those who twist this account to condone social drinking say the term "well drunk" refers to the idea that the crowd was so drunk that they could not distinguish. However, the point of "the governor of the feast" to the bridegroom is that the guests were able to discern between the "worse" and the "good wine." If it is the case that these wedding guests were so drunk that they could not distinguish, then the Lord made the six pots of alcoholic beverage for those who were already strongly under the influence, and caused them to be even more drunk! Thus, the "good wine" of the wedding feast of Canaan must have been the fresh juice of the grape. Also, consider the logical consequence of those who want to use this passage to justify the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Their argument goes something like this: "Since Jesus produced alcoholic wine, then it is morally right for a person to drink it." However, notice that their logic takes them further than most of them want to go. Since Jesus produced alcoholic wine (as they claim), then not only would it be morally right to drink it, it would be morally right to produce it, sell it, distribute it, and make a living from it. But since that would most certainly cause someone to stumble, then it must be morally right to cause someone to stumble. However, the logical consequence of their argument would oppose the Lord's teaching (Luke 17:1-2). No, the reasoning is a foolish argument that has no foundation in scripture. Further, consider the general context of the Bible. Habakkuk wrote, "Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!" (2:15). The sin Habakkuk is rebuking is the sin of contributing to drunkenness. If Jesus supplied intoxicating wine to the wedding guests at Cana, then He contributed to their intoxication. Not only did Jesus contribute to it, He, also, condoned and encouraged people to get completely soused! Since intoxication is sinful, then Jesus sinned, and the "woe" of Habakkuk would be upon Him. If this be the case, then it would be better for Jesus "that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea" (Luke 17:2). As a perfect man, Jesus could not have turned water into alcoholic wine and offer such to others. Another passage to consider in this context is Proverbs 23:31-32, which says, "Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder." If Jesus had turned water into intoxicating wine, then He would have caused others to look upon the wine when it is red opposing the wisdom of Solomon. Since, Jesus is "greater than Solomon" (Matthew 12:42), He would know the wisdom of sobriety and would not tempt others with an intoxicating beverage. Again, Solomon wrote, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise" (Proverbs 20:1). "What, then, was the miracle of the wedding feast in Cana?" The miracle of Cana was that Jesus surpassed or transcended the normal amount of time and the natural process that it takes to produce and harvest grape juice. That, which normally takes months, took Jesus but a moment. Augustine wrote, "For he on that marriage-day made wine in the six jars which he ordered to be filled with water he who now makes it every year in the vines; for, as what the servants had poured into the water- jars was turned into wine by the power of the Lord, so, also, that which the clouds pour fourth is turned into wine by the power of the self-same Lord." (As quoted in "Bible Wines" by William Patton, page 91.) "How could this be? Did they have any methods of preservation of grape juice in the first century?" Yes. In fact, they had several methods. In the book "Bible Wines," the author, William Patton, discusses four methods that the ancients used for the preservation of grape juice. One such method is to keep air completely excluded a method often used today. R. C. Foster in his book, "Studies in the Life of Christ," said, "A Greek wine ship of the second century B.C. found by divers off the southern coast of France several years ago contained a great number of wine flasks that had been sealed so tight that after more than 2,000 years the sea water had not seeped into them." With close examination, we must conclude that the Lord did not make intoxicating wine at the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee. "Did Jesus turn water into wine?" Yes. "Did Jesus turn water into intoxicating wine?" Absolutely Not! Alcohol has caused and/or contributed to broken homes, every kind of accident imaginable, disease both physical and mental, poverty, and crimes of every kind. Since its effect is such, it is beyond my own imagination why anyone would ever want to justify its use let alone mar the Lord's perfect example with its production and distribution. Its use is not social in any way but is in every way antisocial. Its defense by sweet-talking, soft- pedaling, so-called preachers is religiously hypocritical, morally irresponsible, and socially despicable. It has victimized the unborn, children, teenagers, the middle aged, and the old. It has victimized business people and laborers, country folks and city folks, the rich and the poor. There is probably not one person who has not felt its evil bite and its viperous sting! It is beyond my reasoning power to understand how people who claim to be spiritually minded and morally upright will rationalize its use. Blood has filled our streets because of this vile beverage. Graves have filled our hills and vales because of this evil drink. Reproach has filled our nation because of this wicked intoxicant. Corruption has filled our society because of this corrupted liquor. Shame and disgrace has filled our homes because of this malicious booze. Rather than justifying its use, let us stand diametrically opposed to it for "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."

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Please e-mail me (Chuck Northrop) in the Ukraine if you have any questions