I just read that Coca-Cola was originally intended for medicinal purposes. It was claimed that the beverage would stop headaches, cure neuralgia, hysteria and melancholy.

The original Coca-Cola came in green bottles, usually a pint, and the directions said that you were to mix it with water. It was only later that a much more watered-down version became the billion dollar business that it is today. It has been said that Coke is now 99 percent water and sugar.

The Bible is intended to be used for healing purposes, not just a recreational drink to fulfill our wants and desires. But many people tend to water it down to the point where it can no longer serve its purpose. Instead of gathering to worship weekly (Heb.10:25), people attend church much less frequently. Sacrificial living (Mk.8:34) is replaced with an occasional good deed. Tithing (Matt.23:23) somehow becomes 2 percent of our income. Proclaiming the gospel message to the world (Mk.16:15) is reduced to an infrequent and half-hearted invitation to come to church. Making disciples (Matt.28:19-20) is no longer the mission of the church, but we do still talk about it from time to time. Love for God and people (Matt.22:37-40) is not a priority any more, but it does get some lip service.

Let’s take our medicine and stop watering down the Bible. Let’s get back to the original real thing!