KNOWING THE TRUTH

And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free – John 8 : 32.

When I look at myself today, I give thanks to my God for making it possible for me to know His truth. Some years back, I was living as a lost child of God  who does not know his right from his left. I remember some times when we go to supermarket for shopping, and we want to buy wine, we will be looking for the ones that have the highest alcoholic content – what a painful life! I heard what the bible say about alcohol but I only interpreted it to suite my purpose. When I was doing this, I thought that I was doing the perfect thing that is expected of a child of God because every sunday I carry my bible and go to church, sing praises to Him and after closing go back home. The time I did this was a time waisted which cannot be recovered back but I thank God for His faithfulness, because today I can stand up and say the Lord is faithful to His promises.

There was a time I spoke to someone about alcohol who know the word of God and he said to me that there is nothing bad in taking one cup of alcoholic drink may be after food. I am not condemning him because I did it before also but the most painful part of his own is that he knows the word of God. At times, we try to interpret the word of God to suite our purpose and that is not obedience but rather we are only trying to satisfy our selfish interest instead of God’s. We try to shy away at times from our responsibility because it is very inconvenient at times to take responsibility and also due to lack of knowledge. Let’s look at some of the bible verses about alcohol and some other  things in life so that we should not be ignorant about His word.

About alcohol:

Woe to those who rise early in the morning that they may follow intoxicating drink who continue until night, till wine inflames them – Isaiah 5 : 11.

Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink – Isaiah 5 : 22

Wine is a mocker. Strong drink is a brawler and whoever is led astray by it is not wise – Proverbs 20 :1.

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine. Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly. At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things and your heart will utter perverse things. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying they have struck me, but I was not hurt, they have beaten me, but I did not feel it – Proverbs 23 :29 – 35.

It is not for kings, O Lemuel. It is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink. Lest they drink and forget the law and pervert the justice of all the afflicted. Give strong drink to him who is perishing and wine to those who are bitter of heart. Let him drink and forget his poverty and remember his misery no more – Proverbs 31 : 4 – 7.

Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you nor your sons with you when you go into the tabernacle of meeting lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations -Leviticus 10 : 9.

For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober minded, just, holy, self controlled, holding fast the faithful word as sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict – Titus 1 : 7 – 9.

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the spirit – Ephesians 5 : 18.

About Tattoo: You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you, I am the Lord – Leviticus 19 : 28.

About prostitute: Do not prostitute your daughter, to cause her to be a harlot, lest the land fall into her lotry and the land become full of wickedness – Leviticus 19 : 29.

About kidnaps: He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death – Exodus 21 : 16.

Brethren, no matter the level of offence you might have committed, it is not too late, go to God and plead for forgiveness and He is ready to forgive you and restore you back to His inheritance. He has done it for me and many people so He is ready to do it for you today if you can take the bold step and go to Him because that was why He sent His only Son to come and die for us. He want to have a good relationship with us. He is not ready for our condemnation but rather for our salvation, peace and joy.

Thank you Lord for making to know the truth about You. Please, help my fellow brethren to still know this truth of Yours in Jesus name.