A new survey of nearly 600 teens in drug treatment in New York, Texas, Florida, and California indicated that 20% have shared drugs other than alcohol with their parents, and that about 5% of the teens actually were introduced to drugs – usually marijuana – by their moms or dads.
The Main Argument
“God made pot. It’s natural. And it’s legal in more and more places. And if Christians are allowed to drink alcohol, then why shouldn’t they also be allowed to use cannabis?!”
Similarities between Cannabis & Alcohol:
- Cannabis, like alcohol, is an organic substance.
- Cannabis, like alcohol, has the potential to intoxicate and
- Cannabis, like alcohol, has different effects on someone who uses it regularly than someone who uses it occasionally.
- Cannabis, like alcohol, can be habit-forming.
How is Cannabis different from Alcohol:
- Unlike alcohol, you can’t blackout or die from an overdose of cannabis.
- Unlike alcohol, there are many different strains of cannabis. The same amount of cannabis smoked or ingested from two different cannabis plants can have different effects on an individual.
- Unlike alcohol, cannabis has not been a staple in cultures all around the world for use in celebrations and ceremonies.
- Unlike alcohol, cannabis is not
The Main Objective
The main objective of a Christ-follower is to know God, and to see His Glory without
The Journey to seeing God clearly:
The Starting Point: An Obstructed Vantage Point
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.”
— Ephesians 2:1-5“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins.”
— Colossians 2:13“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
— 2 Corinthians 4:4
The Turning Point: A Redeemed Vantage Point
When we experience the redemptive work of Christ we are
“For God, who said, ‘Let light sine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”
— 2 Corinthians 4:6
The Destination Point: A Perfect Vantage Point
As Christ-followers, when we one day enter into heaven and the very presence of God, all hindrances will be taken away and we will be able to
However, until then “we still see his glory as through a glass dimly” (1 Corinthians 13:12).
The Main Principle
If the main objective of a Christ-follower is to know God, and to see His Glory without obstruction, we must ensure we are
The Christians use of any kind of psychoactive substance should always align with the gospel goal of looking to see things
“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.”
— 1 Peter 4:7