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HOUSMAIL HM079 23 July 2001 RANDOM
THOUGHTS ABOUT SMOKING HM078
(about smoking) produced some encouraging favourable responses -- as well as the
inevitable negative reactions about "legalism". It is
certainly true that Jesus did not make a "LAW" which specifically mentions
smoking! So this is NOT written to argue the "Christian legality" of
smoking! (Or of any other addiction for that matter!) But it is about the "fine
tuning" of the CONSCIENCE of disciples, eager to find ways to express their
FREE WILL love for Jesus (John 14:15) and who want to make it easier for God to "make His home
with us"! (John 14:23) If you
want to argue THAT at all, may I suggest that you take it up privately with Jesus, FIRST CHANCE YOU GET! Of course you may have to wait to hear a trumpet wake you from sleep
which seemed to last only "a moment, a twinkling of an eye", (1 Corinthians 15:52) before the opportunity arises. And there is no scripture that guarantees
it, even then! The
HOUSMAIL article was written for some of those with uneasy consciences, who didn't
want to wait that long for some answers to pray about! As a
follow up, I thought some of you might be interested in the following collection
of random thoughts about smoking, which have accumulated over the years. You may
have encountered them before -- none of them is original. But it might be useful
to some if we give them another airing at this time. RELIEVING
TENSION In Australia,
smoking is banned on public transport. You can see who the smokers are as the
journey is ending. At the journey's end, the tensions begin to build. Before the
train stops, the cigarettes are out, and so is the lighter -- ready for that first
tension relieving puff, the moment they leave. Some of them are so impatient to
save a precious second or two, that they have developed a technique for lighting
up in mid-air, between the train and the platform, as they step off! Such are
the "pressures" of nicotine addiction! SMOKING
IN CHURCH Strange
isn't it? In Australia, smoking is now banned in many public and private buildings.
But no such legislation ever had to be enacted for Churches! When I was child,
long before the rising tide of public opinion forced the legislators to impose
restrictions, people simply didn't ever do it! They "just knew" they
shouldn't. But you can tell who the smokers are! You see them outside in the Church
car park, having that last puff before they enter the building -- or the first
one after the service. But in Church? No Sir!!! It is unthinkable! Why
is that do you think? Why is it that people seem to know instinctively that you
simply don't smoke inside a Church? And why is it OK outside, but not inside? MAKING
JESUS A SMOKER? "Do
you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the
members of Christ and make him smoke? Never!" (1 Corinthians 6:15 Adapted) GOD
-- WOULD YOU LIKE ONE OF MINE? In Australia,
in polite smoking circles it is the custom, before taking one yourself, to offer
the pack around to others present. "Would you like one of mine?" If
you stop to remember that GOD is present as a silent observer (he always is!)
would you offer Him one too? HEADLINE
- GOD BECOMES A PASSIVE SMOKER! "We are the temple of the living God." (2 Corinthians 6:16) THAT MEANS THAT GOD HIMSELF LIVES WITHIN US! Whatever
WE do, God does! -- Assuming of course, that he stays around to participate! (which,
for many things, I seriously doubt. And my personal list of those many things,
certainly includes smoking!) Where
do we draw the line between "TEMPLE ACTIVITIES" in which God takes delight,
and others which defile and destroy the house in which He wants to live FOR EVER? "God would you like to share cigarette number 47 today -- or
a cigar, for a change? Or can you wait a little while, until I get this pipe cleaned
and working again?" DESTROYING
THE TEMPLE OF GOD "Do you not know that you are God's temple
and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will
destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are." It isn't
necessary to repeat here all the warnings from recent scientific studies. We all
know, don't we? -- About cancer of the lungs, mouth, tongue etc -- Or about emphysema,
and other respiratory problems -- or about what it does to the taste buds -- etc.
etc. If these things are not what it means to "destroy the temple of God",
then what are they? THE
SOCIAL COSTS Have
you ever experienced the distress of poverty-stricken parents while they BEG for money to buy food or clothes for their kids? Inevitably, if they
are heavy smokers, (as they so often are) they have to light up to ease the tension
caused by their embarrassment about their need to beg. And
have you ever experienced the average reaction when it is suggested that if they
weren't spending so much money on tobacco, their kids wouldn't be in quite so
much desperate need? THE
DAY OF JUDGEMENT I suppose
that, on the day of judgement, the tension amongst the unseparated goats is going
to start to build. Of course the nicotine addicts have the answer for that! A
quick puff should do the trick! As they stand awaiting the arrival of the judge,
and unsure of their fate, are they going to start patting their pockets for their
40 pack of "pacifiers"? And if perchance they do find a packet in their
pocket, will they light up while they wait for Jesus to arrive? Will they politely
ask the permission of the others standing near them? If Jesus arrives just as
they find their cigarette lighter, do you think they might politely ask HIS permission?
"Jesus, do you mind if I smoke?" Or, if they are feeling very generous
-- "Jesus, would you like one too?" Finally
consider this pearl of wisdom contributed by a sister. - "Kissing a smoker is like licking an ashtray!" Allon |