From: Deniese
To: The Path of Truth
Sent: Saturday, January 09, 2016 5:09 PM
Subject: Funerals
Hi,
I have been reading your website. I am on the Journey of obedience to Jesus Christ. I have a question. Should a follower of Jesus attend funerals of loved ones who are not saved or people people in the so called “church”? My husband , children and I stopped going to church a few months ago. We are studying the scriptures and for the 1st time walking in obedience. A pastor from an old Church died suddenly a few days ago, my husband wants to go to the memorial service tomorrow to pay respects to the family, I don’t want to go. I’m not sure if I’m right. He says then if your mother or father dies, and if they die without salvation are we not to go to there funeral? For some reason, I don’t think we should be going to funerals of the unsaved. Even family. I want to please the Lord above all else, but I don’t want to be in error anymore.. We have been so called saved for 15 years, but a year ago the Lord have been opening our eyes to deception. I’m tired now. I want the truth.
Thank you.
Follower of Christ,
Deniese
From: Deniese
To: The Path of Truth
Sent: Saturday, January 09, 2016 5:14 PM
Subject: Weed
Hi again,
I am trying to tell my husband that a follower of Jesus should not smoke weed. Is it OK for a follower to smoke weed? My husband says its a herb and God gave all the herbs in the field and he can’t find anything in the bible that says you should not, if your doing it legally..
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my email.
Deniese
From: Paul Cohen and Victor Hafichuk
To: Deniese
Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 2016 7:16 AM
Subject: Re: Funerals/Weed
Hi Deniese,
Obviously, counsel about attendance at your late pastor’s funeral is too late, but it’s not too late to advise you on walking with the Lord in general.
Whether or not you go to the funerals of people who aren’t believers depends on whether you’re a believer and what the Lord would have you do. This isn’t a matter like not committing adultery, where the application of the Law is straightforward. There are times to go to a funeral and times not to go. Followers of the Lord Jesus Christ have experienced both. (Are you reading much on our site? Read wHaT tHe LoRd HaS dOnE wItH mE.)
For now, because there is no specific Biblical direction by Law or principle to NOT go to funerals of unbelievers you should obey your husband on this matter unless and until you have specific instructions from the Lord otherwise. Put away your thoughts and just do as you’re told. Don’t complicate things unnecessarily.
As for your husband’s argument about smoking weed, it is a feeble and foolish one given by many an unbeliever, an excuse that plainly comes from the lust of the flesh. God has given us all the herbs of the field, but not necessarily to smoke or ingest. Is your husband taking hemlock or nightshade? Common sense tells him not to and negates his reasoning and argument about using all herbs.
If he doesn’t agree, it’s simply because he wants to justify his habit. Is he really interested in following the Lord? Can you see John the Immerser lighting up, or Peter or John, or Jesus, for that matter? Those of the true faith granted from above don’t give those kinds of arguments. You don’t have to follow your husband in this and ought not to.
Read Obedience and So You Want to Walk with Jesus.
As for legality, even if pot is legal for recreational or medical use, that doesn’t make it wise or good in the sight of God for anyone to get high as they please, especially those who take upon themselves His Name, which, if smoking, would be taking His Name in vain. It’s also legal for adults to get drunk socially or privately, alone or with many (if they’re not driving) – shall believers get intoxicated, too?
I became a believer as a recreational pot smoker, but God soon showed me it wasn’t something I should be doing any longer and I stopped because of His intervention. God will do the same for your husband, if he believes.
But even if your husband doesn’t believe, you’re to obey him where it doesn’t contradict God’s wisdom, commandments and instructions to you, clear or suggested by principle.
“Likewise, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, so that if any do not obey the Word, they may also be won without the Word by the conduct of the wives, having witnessed your chaste behavior in the fear of God” (1 Peter 3:1-2 MKJV).
Paul and Victor