Every plant has an amazing set of properties. Poison ivy has been used to relieve symptoms. Many spices help kill germs. Mushroom types target different viruses. We know that the same plant that helps glaucoma can also lead people to do very jerky things to each other.
Do we protect our brains and relationships, or live for ourselves? If use is about pleasure and escape, or even about interpersonal bonding, it still needs to be held up to the light of what Christ asks for us.
Sending disciples out into towns to heal, cast out devils, and -oh, you might not want to bring along the crack.
I faced a situation last night where I was in authority, and people who were using substances were disrupting what others were trying to accomplish. As one person among many, it was almost impossible to address.
Years ago I worked in a restaurant, and had to pay out of pocket when munchy-bingers walked out on their bills, not even cognizant of what they were doing.
Using may appear innocent, but plenty of offenses are generated when people are not clear-minded. Friends insult each other, promises are neglected, cars hit objects, babies are conceived, work gets backed up. It is not just a matter of killing brain cells and destroying nerves.
It puts dents into relationships. It reinforces a self-based approach to living.
On sin in general: you don't need a teacher. ... Christians have an internal voice guiding them. Situations are dynamic. They should not live in fear, but in love.
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A lot of Christians don't sit around and contemplate on the teachings of Jesus. They talk about Jesus, but they never really think on what He taught. .. How can someone speak up Jesus and obviously never consider His teachings?
If studying another religion, we might give up meat, fast for a month, speak only positive things... devote ourselves to making it work. That is religious practice. Christianity's freedom sometimes leads people to be totally lawless.
Jesus' law is love. If everything comes under that umbrella, if the law is fulfilled in love, then we need to consider how deep the definition of love needs to go. Gushy... cozy... thoughtful... live-sacrificing.
In love everything is positive: anger, sadness, breaking the "Law".
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