The following series of articles may also be found on the website of the Mill Street church of Christ, London, KY
www.millstreetcoc.org
The articles appeared in the weekly newspapers of the:
Sentinel Echo Newspaper Article & Times-Tribune Newspaper Article
on:
Friday, October 21, 2011 & Saturday, October 22, 2011
London, KY Corbin, KY
~Another Vote for Liquor Sales Expansion?~
Will London lose its innocence…again?
“Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, and whoever
is led astray by it is not wise.” — Proverbs 20:1
Part 1
In the September 21, 2011 edition of the Sentinel Echo, it was reported that a petition is circulating in order to, quote: “take the city’s ‘moist’ alcohol sales to ‘state liquor’ sales.” The article went on to state that, “If enough signatures are obtained, it could be on the ballot this November.” Finally, the article stated, “This petition is to address the sale of liquor to the public through stores, countering the current ‘moist’ alcohol sales at area restaurants (only beer and wine).”
If you remember, some time ago, a similar effort was successful in achieving what this article referred to as ‘moist’ alcohol sales in restaurants in London. That effort also began by way of a petition, with an ensuing ballot vote. We now see in this second ‘circulating’ petition, an effort to broaden on that which was successful in the first petition and vote. With this second petition we now see a progression toward a larger goal by its advocates, as this will not be the last of related petitions/votes.
Anyone who is familiar with the teaching of the Bible knows that sin spreads in this same manner...i.e. progressively. So it is not difficult to understand why a second move or petition has surfaced to expand liquor sales. This progression is following an age-old pattern once the proverbial ‘toe-in-the-door’ has occurred. Progression is typical in many plans or efforts, as it achieves an ultimate goal step-by-step. For example, in dieting; there is a goal, but the goal is achieved in progression. If one desires to lose 50 pounds, then the goal is to do so step-by-step. The ultimate goal in connection with sin is to eliminate restraint entirely, but little by little. Thus, there is an ever-so-slow shift, one step at a time; so slow that it is unnoticed until one day it is observed, “How did it all happen”? Is there any doubt as to the ultimate goal of those behind these petitions?
Sin is not an abstract thing; i.e., it does not advance by itself. Sin is transgressing a command of God. People commit sin. Animals do not, nor does anything else that was created. The reason for this is that man was created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27). As God freely chose to grant unto man eternal life thru Christ (Eph. 1:4-5), man has the ability to freely choose to accept or reject God’s offer. Thus, the commands given to him of God thru Christ can be obeyed or refused. Refusal to obey those commands constitutes transgression (John 12:48-49). Man submits to Christ by submitting to the commands that Christ gave and man rejects Christ by rejecting His commands (2 John 1:9). Sin is advanced by those who have made their choice to reject submission to Christ’s commands.
Their motivation is seen from 1 John 2:16, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” This petition is being advanced by people whose motivation is a love for the things of this world. Whoever was in favor of the first petition will likely be in favor of this petition, but who are they? I haven’t seen the petition, but I do recall the manner in which the first petition was circulated. I recall elderly people being told that the petition was for the purpose of putting boot-leggers out of business! Such pretense is the focus of the article. Any worthy cause needs no pretense to advance its case. If it is honorable, people should not have to lie, deceive and take advantage of anyone to solicit support for that cause. Certainly, if the cause is in harmony with the will of Christ, it ought to be publicized, supported with all our being! Is that the case? The manner in which this petition is advanced will reveal its worthiness (or lack of), but it will be in harmony with its true nature as well as reveal the character of those involved.
What does the Bible say about those who are involved in sin, especially as it relates to how they work secretly and deceptively? The Bible identifies the behavioral pattern of those involved in sin. It never has changed as they will always follow the same pattern, working their plans in secret, advancing their cause, while remaining in seclusion.
The Psalmist described the wicked in Psalm 10 as follows: “Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined. For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth. The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them. He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.”
The apostle Peter described the similarity between false prophets and false teachers in 2 Peter 2:1. They act in secret. He said they would “…privily…bring in damnable heresies.” Moses had written long ago of the similar tactic of those whose motive was to lead others away from God in Deut. 13:6, “If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly...”.
Will we see this “secrecy” of behavior in connection with this petition? Time will tell. Again, if the cause is worthy, the people advocating it need not be facetious in their support of it, nor be underhanded in any way in their actions. Other articles may come out in the Sentinel Echo mentioning who is behind this petition. Aside from any plausible reasons that may be given as to why London needs expansion in liquor, the truth about intoxication as set forth in the Bible needs to be known. Then and only then can the people of London make an informed decision in regard to both signing a petition AND in casting a vote.
As a preacher of the gospel, I am not ashamed to put my name to any cause in which I am involved, for if it is a worthy cause, it will stand on its own merits. I need not misrepresent the gospel in order to get people to accept its message. Alcohol is clearly discussed in the Bible and equally condemned as sinful. This will be shown in future articles as it pertains to this matter.
to be continued...
to be continued...
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