Jesus never turned away anyone from his table. Why should we? Why all these rules/regulations/tests of committment?

The Bible condemns *drunkenness* in many places but clearly wine is celebrated in many other passages. A small amount of low-alcohol communion wine is not going to make an adult intoxicated.

Do you feel cannabilism is therefore condoned?

The Bible is a guide, written by men with opinions. Why is there only one way?

I suppose if a body of believers prefers to drink wine at communion, and a member has vowed not to drink, either that person finds another body w/similar convictions or the body defers to that member by not offering that member wine.

My main point here is that it is not simply what we eat and drink on own, but it is the Lord’s supper a time of spiritual communion with God. When something we on our own vow and it then comes to whether or not we keep what we have determined to be right verses or interferring our communing with God.

I totally agree with there being far too much individuality in the Church today and I have blogged on that recently as well.

http://mamaarcher.blogspot.com/2007/06/relationship-verses-religion.html

It really all goes back to love, not “knowledge.” Doesn’t the scripture say that food does not commend us to God? But “Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.”

And remember in Jeremiah, where God commends the Rechabites, who made a vow never to drink wine or live in houses. God commended them for keeping their vow, not for “eating right.” Were the Rachabites proud of their stance? It doesn’t say. But they kept their vow, and that is what God commended them for. He didn’t explain them that drinking wine was OK and not to worry about it.

I drink wine, but I defer to those who may have weak consciences about it. Paul advised Timothy to drink wine, and wine was a crucial part of Israeli life in the time of Jesus. And Jesus said He would drink it with us at the Marriage Supper. It’s a sticky issue, but is goes back to the intent of the heart. And militant abstinence from wine does not necessarily mean someone is proud.

As far as the pride issue, if someone is performing “works” to make them feel more righteous, well, how can they be a true Christian? Isn’t being a servant of Christ all about trusting in His work for righteousness? All one can do is explain these things to such a person, like Aquila and Priscilla did to Apollos, and pray that God shed revelation on their heart.

But it does go back to love. Are we doing the things we do out of love for Christ, and the brethren? There is far too much individuality in the Church today. Let us beware of becoming those whose “love has grown cold.”