I see that the wet/dry issue has resurfaced once again, this time in the city of Hanceville. People are for or against going wet for various reasons and with various motives, some good and some not so good. I currently belong to a Church (not in Hanceville) that hands out lists of Bible verses every time the wet/dry issue comes up in Cullman. It’s a long list of verses that talk of the evils of intoxicating drink, or the abuse of such.

My parents introduced me to Jesus and I came to truly understand that I’m a sinner and fall short of the glory of God and at the age of 12 I asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins. I was indeed saved then but I fell into a trap that many Christians fall into. I’d go to church, they hand me a Bible Study book, tell me what scripture to read and what to think about it. Later I came to a point in my life that I decided I better start reading God’s word for myself and pray about it because the stakes are just too high. The end result was that I learned so much more about God’s word than I knew before.

God’s word has a lot to say about wine. First it should be noted that the wine spoken of in the Bible (all of it) was a potentially intoxicating beverage if abused. Simon Peter confirms in Acts 2:13-15 that “new wine” is fermented. And of course the wine that “swirls around” has an even greater alcohol content. Many church pastors are convinced that the wine that Jesus created and drank was Welch’s Pasteurized Grape Juice, or that’s the impression I get. Let’s take a look at the scripture regarding wine, scripture many of you are not aware of.

Judges 9:13 “But the vine said to them, should I cease my new wine, which cheers both God and men, and go sway over the trees?”

1 Timothy 5:23 “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.” Even modern science confirms that wine in moderation is very healthy. This verse shows that drinking wine is not only OK, it’s a commandment!

Isaiah 62:8-9 “…Surely I will no longer give your grain as food for your enemies; and the sons of the foreigner shall not drink your new wine, for which you have labored. But those who have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the Lord; those who have brought it together shall drink it in My holy courts.” This is a prophetic verse regarding Jesus’ future kingdom on the earth after His second coming. Notice how the people will drink new wine with God’s blessing in His own holy courts. Someday I’m going to have a glass of wine with Jesus in Jerusalem.

I could go on and on with scripture that reveals another side to what some of our churches teach regarding this subject. In church I sit politely as everyone claps to the pastor’s spoken statement about keeping Cullman “special” and I don’t make waves, but I’m here to tell you that real wine is a gift of God to man, to be used within the parameters God set. We don’t try to outlaw sex do we? People misuse that gift of God as well. I’m just saying, it’s plain wrong to oppose wine on the grounds that it’s “evil” or “sinful” in and of itself. Now, I don’t want drinking establishments put in place where one can drive there, load up on beer and drive off. Go outside the parameters God set and any of us will get in trouble. Everybody knows it’s wrong to get stoned and do sinful things. God promises to visit judgment on us if we do.

There was a time when the Pharisees (the self righteous religious leaders of Jesus day) saw Jesus drinking wine with others. They accused Him of being a “winebibber” (a drunk). Now, Jesus did not sin but was merely having a glass of wine with some folks that needed salvation. I won’t tell you where that verse is but it’s in the New Testament so read until you find it, and then keep reading. I don’t deny all of the scripture that warns of the abuse of alcohol, but I am here to present the other side of the story. A half truth is a lie and I hate to see God’s word, especially a gift of God, be misrepresented by calling it an evil thing. Jesus absolutely cannot come to Cullman County as He would most assuredly be arrested.