Is it okay for a Christian to use medical marijuana if it is medically necessary?

Sincerely,
Sick

Dear Sick,

God condones taking medication for our health problems.  Paul told Timothy to take some wine for his stomach (1 Tim 5:23).  The sick were told to have the elders pray over them and anoint them with oil – oil was used as a medicine (Jas 5:14).  Drugs used recreationally are an abuse of their purpose, but when used properly for medical purposes (i.e. as prescribed by a doctor), there is no problem.

Do you think someone that has one or two drinks is dishonoring God?  I have several friends who are good people; some are just really outgoing and some are really laidback and love God.  Some of them drink a little more than they should, and some just drink one or two, but none of them get to where they start any trouble or disrespect.  I just don’t want to do anything to make God not love me, nor do I ever want to dishonor Him.

Sincerely,
At The Limit

Dear At The Limit,

God never specifically condemns all alcoholic beverages, but He does condemn ‘strong drink’ (Pr 20:1), drinking parties (1 Pet 4:3), and drunkenness (Rom 13:13).  Almost all alcohol that is consumed today would fall into the category of ‘strong drink’ because our alcoholic beverages are artificially fermented to increase their alcoholic content (unlike the wine of Jesus’ day – read “That’s Just Grape” for further details on the wine Jesus drank).  We would all do well to heed the words of Pr 23:31-32 and avoid alcohol as much as is possible.

I have a very stressful life.  I have found marijuana helps me relax; it’s really the only thing that works.  Will God really condemn me for a little weed?  He did make all the plants, you know.

Sincerely,
Smoke-Doper

Dear Smoke-Doper,

Consuming marijuana for “recreational” purposes is wrong.  God created every green herb on day three (Gen 1:11-13), but He didn’t create them to be used inappropriately.  God condemns drunkenness and insobriety (Rom 13:13, 1 Cor 6:10).  If any drug, including marijuana, is used to create a state of drunkenness (which is the “relaxation” you are talking about) – then, yes, it is a sin.

God created everything in this world for our good, and He created us for good works (Eph 2:10).  Abusing the plants and herbs that God has blessed this world with harms us and is a sin.  When we don’t treat our bodies with respect, we harm ourselves as well as displeasing God (1 Cor 6:19-20).  Glorify God in your body and stay free of the damaging effects of drugs.

     I have attempted to look this up online, but I cannot find the answer.  Why do the years in the Bible go from high to low rather than from low to high? Example:  740 BC - 681 BC rather than 681 BC - 740 BC.  Thank you for your help.

Sincerely,
Can’t Count On It

Dear Can’t Count On It,

BC time is calculated by counting up because it is counting up towards the time when Christ walked the earth.  BC stands for “before Christ”, and using this dating method, time is counted backwards from the approximate birth of Christ.  For example, 650 BC would mean “650 years before Jesus”.  Consequently, the numbers get smaller as you get closer to Jesus’ birth.