I perceive a study article coming soon on the subject of divine authority. The OS (other sheep) will again be told to just leave it in Jehovah's hands. We have to respect and obey divinely appointed authority.....remember, David did not kill Saul when he had the opportunity. He said in 1 Sam 26:9 "who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless?"
Carefully selected scriptural references will be proffered such as:
Don’t let me hear of your suffering for murdering or stealing or making trouble or being a busybody and prying into other people’s affairs. 1 Peter 4: 15
This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your own business and doing your own work, just as we told you before. 1 Thess. 4: 11
The following scriptural references will likely NOT be included:
Matthew 24:48-51 | Drunkards warned about the return of Christ and His judgment. |
Luke 1:15 | Greatness of John the Baptist linked with his total abstinence. |
Luke 12:45 | Christ warns against being enmeshed in drunken evils. |
Luke 21:34 | Warning against drunkenness and the cares of this life, |
Romans 13:13 | All are admonished to walk honestly, not in rioting and drunkenness. |
Romans 14:21 | Drinking causes a brother to stumble. Importance of example. |
1 Cor. 6:10 | No drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of God. |
1 Cor. 11:25 | The Lord's Supper no place for wine. Word "wine" not even used. Instead all accounts say "the cup" or "fruit of the vine." |
Galatians 5:21 | Revelers in drunkenness shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. |
Ephesians 5:18 | Direct command that exhilaration shall be of the Spirit and not by wine. |
1 Thess. 5:7 | Sobriety enjoined upon the Thessalonians. |
1 Timothy 3:3,8,11-12 Church officers must not drink; neither should their families. And the #1 Scriptural Reference that will not appear in the coming article on Divine Authority? Drum Roll ..................... They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. - Mt. 23:4 |