Drink Responsibly
Originally scheduled for
April 19
Perhaps
you have seen the ads or heard the commercials. Stuck in at the end will be
something like, “Megalithic Brewers urges you to drink responsibly.” It is an
almost pious appeal, showing their sober concern for our drunken welfare.
Of
course, the cynical among us might think that they are doing this to avoid
lawsuits from the victims of drunkenness – who often are the drunks
themselves. But isn’t that the way of the world, to say one thing and mean
something entirely different?
A
similar warning is given to the Christian. We too are advised to “drink
responsibly” at the Lord’s table. Perhaps we might look at irresponsible
drinking:
Irresponsible
drinking might be treating Communion as nothing more than a stale ritual,
something we do every week at this time, and no more.
Irresponsible
drinking might be to partake without self examination. Some of us, as C. S.
Lewis put it, want to “let sleeping worms lie.”
Worst
of all, how irresponsible it is to drink hypocritically, to give others the
impression that you really believe when you are just keeping up a reputation
you don’t deserve.
Irresponsible
drinking has its consequences. We all know the consequences of drunken
driving; but did you know that those who take Communion in an unworthy manner
can be afflicted with sickness and even death? Did you think that God Almighty
would allow those who insult the sacrifice of Christ to go undisciplined?
Responsible
drinking is this: “Let a man examine himself.” By examining yourself,
confessing your sins and repenting, you prepare yourself for the memorial which
proclaims your salvation by sacrifice. Do not do this lightly; drink
responsibly.
