Galatians 5:16-25 “But I
say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the
flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the
Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so
that you may not do the things that you
please. But if you are led by the
Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are
evident, which are: immorality, impurity,
sensuality, idolatry, sorcery (Greek - pharmakia), enmities, strife,
jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions,
factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing,
and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you,
that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of
God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against
such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ
Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we
live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”
Lately, our church was asked by a City Council member if our campus could be used for a Town hall Meeting on the legalized Marijuana issue. I don’t mind the church being a host venue for debate. As long as the non-biblical or the sinful side of the issue is not associated with that Christian church in any way, shape or form. Our Christ-centered mission of shining the light of God’s truth is our firm commitment in aligning with the Word, Will & Way of the Lord. Our position shall always be broadcasted that “pharmakia”, recreational drug use and “getting high” on mind-altering substances is a sin against God and our own bodies (per Galatians 5) and warned that those who practice drug abuse may not enter God’s Kingdom of Heaven. Not to mention the numerous chaotic social and psychological implications with legalized drugs for pleasure on society and the community in general now. Look at the drug problem that this nation experiences daily.
The Christian message is to know
“right & wrong”, repent and flee from sin, living virtuous, godly lives
in the eyes of the Lord and before our fellow man, living out the Word of God
and reflecting Christ. May our position be made known at such debates,
as one of the voices of concern? Our church is a part of this community, but like Jesus
said, we are called to be salt & light, not neutral on the position. Just
by voicing the Bible’s position, we shine light into the darkness and can
change public opinion and individual’s lives... and I believe the both the Lord
and the people want the church to do just that. The church is an integral part
of the community and the culture of this world’s mission field.
John 3:16-19 “For
God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For
God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that
the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not
judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not
believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is
the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the
darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.”
Yet, I know that the State
of California and other states where Marijuana is legalized make a lot of
revenue off this multi-billion dollar industry of the sale of Marijuana
and Cannabis products. Also, that secular society does not want to hear the
facts (physically, mentally or spiritually) on the vices and detriment of such
usage, but demands acceptance. Darkness
hates the light. We are in the “rescue and restore from
sin” business, not the “remain in sin” business. Reducing the
population of Hell is our goal.
If Christians can use this
as a platform to give God’s biblical position of prohibition from recreational
drug use at all, (even if it’s just “we believe that it is wrong”)
& vote “no”, then I say “yes”, let’s host this debate ... and one later on for
abortion of babies and another on homosexuality or anything else condemned as
sin by God. The moral majority must engage the issues for Christ’s sake. But,
if our hands are tied and our mouths are gagged from speaking the truth in love
and giving the biblical opinion as a valued citizen participant, then I vote
“no” to host such debates. We never want to lose our witness for Christ.
May God’s will be done.
In Christ, Brian
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