Romans 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby your brother stumbles, or is offended, or is made weak. Many object to total abstinence because it is not insisted on in the New Testament in so many words. True; but Paul appeals to our honour, conscience, brotherly feelings, and that to the Christian ought to be equivalent to a command. I. ABSTINENCE EMBODIES THE SPIRIT OF THE GOSPEL. "We that are strong," etc. (Romans 15:1). This principle is recognised in the State. Laws are framed, not for the rich and powerful, but the poor, the oppressed, "the submerged tenth." So in the home — the infant, the feeble, the invalid have the first claim. So in the Church — the sinner, the weakling should be our supreme care. Unlike the world saying, "Let the devil take the hindmost," or Cain asking, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Paul declares, "If meat make my brother," etc. He practised what he preached. Illustrated by his taking the vow solely for the sake of his weaker brethren. Christ also taught self-abnegation, and enforced it by His example. If we were in personal peril every one would admit we should abstain. Our neighbour is, and Christ said, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Christ gave His life a ransom for many. We are therefore treading in His footsteps when we sacrifice our opinions and our tastes for the sake of our brother who is in danger of stumbling. II. IT FULFILS THE GOLDEN PRINCIPLE THAT UNDERLIES THE TEXT. 1. The case is desperate. "Diseases desperate grown by desperate appliance are relieved." The surgeon cuts off a limb that he may save a life. The fireman pulls down a house that the devouring flames may not consume a city. Even if drink were one of "the good creatures of God," it is Christlike to give it up for the sake of those it is destroying body and soul. 2. We are free from a terrible responsibility. Meroz was cursed for its neutrality. Let us not share its fate by aiding the foe or holding aloof in the battle that is raging between the Church and the drink traffic. 3. "None of us liveth to himself," etc. By taking decided temperance views no one can quote our example for a moderation that may lead to fatal excess. 4. Our usefulness will be increased. We can better help the drunkard back to sobriety and Christ when we support him by our practice. 5. We shall be rewarded. It may cost a struggle to surrender the convictions and habits of a lifetime. But if abstinence be right we are simply confessing that we are wiser to-day than we were yesterday. Having done it for Christ's sake, we may safely leave ourselves in His hands. (W. Wakinshaw.) Parallel Verses KJV: It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. |
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