In continuing through our preaching series on basic doctrines of the Christian faith, yesterday’s lesson at Lake Merced Church was focused on answering this question: How does a person become a Christian?
Here it is:
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Have you heard about California’s Proposition 19 set to be on our state ballot this November? If passed this proposition will legalize marijuana use in California for persons 21 years of age or older and will also legalize growing the plant in private residences within state borders (NBC ran an interesting story on this yesterday highlighting possible negative ramifications).
Current polling data shows this proposition would pass were it voted on today, but before all you closet potheads load the UHaul to move to California, we need to talk about a couple of things.
The purely medicinal application of Marijuana is valid – it certainly does ease chronic pain better than most pharmaceuticals. BUT … that is being so abused here in California it has become a huge joke. Cancer patients, those suffering from AIDS or MS – it makes sense for them to be able to get a prescription for Marijuana as a pain reliever and appetite stimulant, but when a person can stub their toe and get the “green” light to legally smoke pot (often indefinitely), something is wrong with the system. It’s a joke.
As for recreational use. habitual substance abuse has the potential to negatively define a person’s identity and rule their life.
Before I gave my life to Christ I was a huge pothead. Smoking marijuana every day made me lazy, mentally slow, damaged my lung capacity, and killed millions of brain cells. I viewed myself as a stoner. That affected my everyday decisions and my life ambitions. All I really wanted to do was get high, and I was okay with that – it was simply part of who I’d decided I was. Additionally, I was very addicted to marijuana despite the claims from proponents who tout its non-addictive nature. While it’s true most scientists claim marijuana is not physically addictive, the same say it is highly psychologically addictive. Looking at it simply in terms of personal health, it’s an incredibly stupid habit to develop.
From a spiritual standpoint, a couple of Scriptures should be considered. Galatians 5:19-21 is a good place to start.
Galatians 5:19-2119 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
This is a heavy Scripture. Written by the apostle Paul, it lists several sins that lead to death for “those who live like this.” That word “live” is an important one, because Paul isn’t saying a single individual sin will sever one’s relationship with God; rather, if a person lives in rebellion to God’s rule they should not expect to be known by Him.
I’m reticent to lump recreational marijuana use in with drunkenness. I believe key differences are present between the physical intoxication afforded by cannabis verses alcohol – namely, alcohol is much more dangerous and severe.
I do, however, believe Galatians 5 speaks against marijuana and all illicit drug usage for followers of Christ for two reasons:
First, the phrase “and the like” is included in verse 21. While it’s true the effects of marijuana are mild when compared to the effects of other drugs or alcohol, it is still an intoxicant that impairs you and is bad for your health. Legal or not, it is “like” other vices listed in this passage.
Secondly, the original Greek word translated ‘witchcraft’ in verse 20 is “pharmakeia” – the root behind the English word “pharmacy.” When most people think of ancient witches or wizards, they think black cats, cauldrons, and spells, but that’s not a historically accurate image. First century witchcraft was associated with the ‘magic’ substances practitioners sold. Magic potions, magic powders, and magic herbs were used with spells and incantations to remedy certain ailments – they would also get you high. Witchcraft is condemned not only because of its tie to idolatry, but also because it involved substance abuse.
Drug use and substance abuse is nothing new. We must take Paul’s statement that “those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God” seriously.
You also have Romans 13 to consider:
Romans 13:1-51Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.4For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
The Bible teaches it is morally appropriate to follow the laws of the land (of course we are not to when they violate the commands of Christ, but if we are honest we must admit most don’t).
Even if the state of California legalizes recreational marijuana usage, it will still be illegal according to Federal law. California’s state officials do not mind breaking Federal law (they thumb their nose at the Federal system often), but does that mean it’s morally acceptable to follow state officials in their lawlessness? That would be wrong.
I hope this proposition does not pass.
You know the story of Exodus.
God sent Moses to deliver the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery. He sent the plagues on Egypt because of Pharaoh’s rebellion, and parted the Red Sea allowing the Israelites to cross on dry land. He provided water and food for Israel in the desert, and led them toward the promised land as a pillar of cloud in the day, and a pillar of fire by night.
If any doubter were going to pick an ideal time in history to live in order to see things that would cause them to believe and trust in God, you’d think the time of the Exodus would be a great one.
You’d think … but you may not be correct.
See, the Israelites had witnessed all these things with their own two eyes. They’d tasted the manna, they’d knelt down and felt the dry sediment at the Red Sea. The water coming from the rock in the desert was sweet, and the presence of the pillars of cloud and fire were as comforting as they were magnificent.
But Israel was quick to forget.
Exodus 32 will mess you up – not only because it reveals the sinister side of human nature, but also because it reveals the great love we should have for fallen people.
Exodus 32 reveals the end of Moses forty-day pow-wow with God on the top of Mount Sinai.
Forty days of his being gone was all it took for the Israelites to lose their faith in Yahweh who’d done so much for them only to begin looking for something else to worship. They’d approached Moses’ brother and spokesman Aaron with their concern basically saying, “Make us gods to follow! Moses is gone!”
And Aaron dropped the ball in a big way.
He had the people gather their gold together and melt it down. Then he crafted a golden calf for them to worship as god, and worship they did. They threw a party with the calf at the center the likes of which Israel had never thrown. If glow sticks and lasers had been invented before 1500 BC, I’m sure Israel would have broken them out at this point.
Here are the very people Yahweh had done so much for and delivered so many times throwing a party of praise around an idol, giving it credit for delivering them out of Egypt, at the foot of the very mountain on which the presence of the real God rested and shown like “consuming fire” at the top. I don’t know about you, but if I were going to worship an idol (and I’m not), I don’t think I’d do it at the foot of the mountain that has a huge, supernatural fire going on at the top that is supposed to be the presence of God.
Of course God took notice of this:
Exodus 32:7-147 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt.8 They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’9 “I have seen these people,” the LORD said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people.10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”11 But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. “O LORD,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?12 Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people.13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.'”14 Then the LORD relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.(NIV)
So God Himself was about to destroy them, but Moses interceded on their behalf and God relented, then Moses made his way down the mountain.
Coming to the bottom of the mountain, Moses witnessed the scene. Can you imagine the look on his face when he saw what was going on? Sure, God had told him about it, but he hadn’t seen it yet. Can you feel what he felt at this point?
The Bible says “his anger burned” (v. 19). I have a feeling that’s an understatement. Obviously, Moses wasn’t happy. He threw down the stone tablets God had given him breaking them, melted the golden calf down before grinding it to powder, then mixed the powder with water, and made the Israelites drink it. He then put out a call to all those who’d remained faithful to God, and instructed them to take out their swords and strike down the rebellious. Entire families were killed, and about 3,000 died that day (not nearly as many as would have died if Moses hadn’t interceded on the people’s behalf earlier).
Now comes the part that will mess you up:
Exodus 32:30-32 30 The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. But now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” 31 So Moses went back to the LORD and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. 32 But now, please forgive their sin– but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.” (NIV)
Moses said to God – the One inhabiting this all-consuming fire at the top of the mountain – “I know the people have sinned. I know they’d turned their back on You … but please forgive them, and if you’re not willing then go ahead and send me to hell too.”
Woah.
We hear a lot of stories about a person laying down their life for another, but do we ever hear about someone laying down their eternity for another?
Are you ever willing? Am I ever willing?
The apostle Paul was the same way:
Romans 9:1-3
1 I speak the truth in Christ– I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit–
2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.
3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race,
(NIV)
Again, are you ever willing? Am I?
Here’s the challenge for you and for me today – to love those outside of Christ this much … to be willing to let go of your place in heaven, so that they can have it.
That’s the example we’ve been given, and that willingness is indicative of true, delivering love.
The bar couldn’t be set any higher, could it?
