Ron Writes
How much can I drink before I’m considered drunk? People ask the wrong question. The command isn’t thou shall not be drunk. The admonition is “be sober.” To think clearly and be in control is the goal. Young people used to ask, where does it say in the Bible that I can’t smoke marijuana? Again, it’s the wrong question. The real question should be, how can I be under the control of God? How can I be filled with the Spirit? The challenge is to “be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise” (Eph. 5:15).
It's a matter of emphasis and focus.
Hell is taught in Scripture, but the emphasis is on heaven. Certainly, we can be lost, but the emphasis of the Bible is that we can be saved. While hell is a reality, a relationship with God must be our focus.
Human frailty is reality. We are weak. We fail. Humility must not cause us to pine, but to praise. We have a God who is strong. We can be strong in the Lord. We can put on God’s armor. His ear is always open to our prayers. Our goal isn’t necessarily to be stronger, but to be faithful. To trust in the Lord with all our heart. Not to lean on our own strength and understanding.
The world is going to hell in a handbasket. Two old men are vying to be president. We fret. Fear. More will be said about the carnage the other man will cause if elected. Neither know who I am. Either will cause further division and wreck friendships. Principle gives way to power. This is all some will focus on in the next few months. However, God is sovereign. God is still in control. This is my Father’s world. God is just as concerned about who’s living in my house as He is about who’s in the White house.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things” (Phil. 4:8).
