Short thought of the Day: Desires and Pursuits

I am actually going to post consistently for two days in a row. Anyway, I'm in the middle of a discussion with someone online on a forum I frequent concerning whether or not consuming marijuana would be sinful if it were still legal. In short, my answer was yes, and in establishing that answer there was all this technicality about what the Scriptures consider "drunkeness" and his rebuts - but it occurs to me that while obedience is certainly part and parcel to the Christian experience, ("If you love me, you will keep my commandments." Jn 14:15) it strikes me that what might be said of Christianity is that it is (or should be) marked as much, if not more, by our desires and pursuits as our denials and "do-not's." We have a nasty tendency to become either legalist or antinomian, and neither gets at the heart of what a life lived unto God should really concern. Oh, in either camp we might get some of the individual points right, but we miss the beautiful whole. Anyway, I'll keep this short, but read this text from Ephesians 5 and pay attention to what Paul commends as much as what he condemns. See how that hits you.

Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And
walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering
and sacrifice to God. 3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or
covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let
there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of
place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this,
that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an
idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one
deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes
upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8
for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as
children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and
right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no
part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is
shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when
anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that
becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from
the dead, and Christ will shine on you." 15 Look carefully then how you
walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the
days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of
the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be
filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20
giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for
Christ.