NOT: how much can I get away with, yet perhaps be saved? RATHER: how much can I please the Lord in every way?
‘And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?’ (1 Pet. 4:18; Note context: they previously attended drinking parties 1 Pet. 4:3 but now became sober & prayerful 1 Pet. 4:7 because the final judgement is at hand.)
‘…drunkenness, revelries, and the like… Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.’ (Gal. 5:21;6:1) Dare you patronisingly say, ‘I’m not like those big drinkers.’ ‘I can drink some.’ ‘I can handle it’? Your patronising excuses are prideful not spiritual.
‘…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us…’ (Heb. 12:1)
‘…“How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people did not answer him a word.’ (1 Kin. 18:21)
‘Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.’ (Eph. 5:7-10)
‘so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.’ (Col. 1:10)
‘No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.’ (Matt. 6:24)
‘If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.’ (Josh. 24:15)
‘Or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.’ (Matt. 12:29-30)
‘Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.’ (Matt. 12:33-37)
‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.’ (Rev. 3:15-16)
New American Standard Bible