In many meetings, I would recall how grown-up men and women would remember things past, as if they were still happening currently.
One young man would bawl about a terrible coworker during half of his sharing, then he would cry and pout about the fact that his father promised him a red bicycle for Christmas. He was so expecting that bicycle, and when Christmas came, and there was no bicycle, he was "Really sad."
How many years later, he was still talking about how sad and mad he was about the whole thing.
"The red bicycle," he would go on and on. "That red bicycle, and my Dad never got it!
To sit around and relive the memories is an outrageous waste of time, not to mention unhealthy and dysfunctional. Men and women do not grow as long as the insist on reliving the previous hurts instead of taking in the present options and future opportunities.
To such painful recriminations, I respond:
"Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;" (Zechariah 9: 12)
and
"Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins." (Isaiah 40: 2)
and
"For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them." (Isaiah 61: 7)
Every believer in Christ has received double for all of his sin, shame, and sorrow. Through His death on the Cross, we receive forgiveness of all our sins -- paid for, removed, with no fear of future recompense. All our sins are covered -- past, present, future -- for the blood of Jesus keeps on cleansing us (1 John 1: 7). By His resurrection, we receive Christ's own righteousness, peace, and joy through His Holy Spirit, which makes us one with Him! (1 John 4: 17)
Instead of mourning what we have lost, we can rejoice in God who is greater that time, testing, and trials, a God who takes our past and transforms it into a glorious present.
12-Step meetings are notoriously stunting when it comes to managing one's thoughts, feelings, and emotions. The true solace for man is found in the rest promised in Jesus!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
We Know God by Reading His Word, not Confessing our Sins
Returning home we find a place where we can be quiet for an hour, carefully
reviewing what we have done. We thank God from the bottom of our heart that we
know Him better. (AA, pg 75)
This sentence, following a prospect's working the fifth step, makes no sense.
When an "alcoholic" works the fifth step, he is confessing the exact nature of his wrongs, going over all the terrible things that he has done in his life, terrible things that he must get off his chest or he may end up going back out and drinking again.
How can anyone claim to know God any better by getting all of one's sins off of one's chest? The person has spent the greater part of his time confessing the things that he has done, talking about himself. Earlier in the book, the program reads:
We hope you are convinced now that God can remove whatever self-will has blocked you off from Him. If you have already made a decision, and an inventory of your grosser handicaps, you have made a good beginning. That being so you have swallowed and digested some big chunks of truth about yourself. (AA, pg 71)
"Big chunks of truth about yourself" -- taking one's inventory focuses on self, not God.
If you really want to know God, read the Bible!
"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2 Peter 3: 18)
Besides, the plural recognition "We thank God that we know Him better" makes no sense -- everyone of us is called to know God individually and intimately as well as corporately through the Body of Christ.
This sentence, following a prospect's working the fifth step, makes no sense.
When an "alcoholic" works the fifth step, he is confessing the exact nature of his wrongs, going over all the terrible things that he has done in his life, terrible things that he must get off his chest or he may end up going back out and drinking again.
How can anyone claim to know God any better by getting all of one's sins off of one's chest? The person has spent the greater part of his time confessing the things that he has done, talking about himself. Earlier in the book, the program reads:
We hope you are convinced now that God can remove whatever self-will has blocked you off from Him. If you have already made a decision, and an inventory of your grosser handicaps, you have made a good beginning. That being so you have swallowed and digested some big chunks of truth about yourself. (AA, pg 71)
"Big chunks of truth about yourself" -- taking one's inventory focuses on self, not God.
If you really want to know God, read the Bible!
"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2 Peter 3: 18)
Besides, the plural recognition "We thank God that we know Him better" makes no sense -- everyone of us is called to know God individually and intimately as well as corporately through the Body of Christ.
Admitting Everything Does Not Admit Peace
This is perhaps difficult - especially discussing our defects with another
person. We think we have done well enough in admitting these things to
ourselves. There is doubt about that. In actual practice, we usually find a
solitary self-appraisal insufficient. Many of us thought it necessary to go much
further. We will be more reconciled to discussing ourselves with another person
when we see good reasons why we should do so. The best reason first: If we skip
this vital step, we may not overcome drinking. Time after time newcomers have
tried to keep to themselves certain facts about their lives. Trying to avoid
this humbling experience, they have turned to easier methods. (AA, pg 72)
I cannot recall how many times that I took my inventory, yet my life never seemed to get any better.
I remember that I would admit how afraid or angry that I was about certain people or situations, and my fear and anger never went away.
The idea that individuals must confess certain sins or they will not stop drinking is just not true.
I have met many people who confessed everything that they have ever done. They go over all the shameful things from their past over and over, yet for me the feelings would never subside. The program simply does not work!
The real problem for individuals is not the sin, not what they did, but the sense of guilt which never goes away. People keep on confessing all the bad things that they have done, and they do not feel any better.
I used to get certain things off my chest, but then I found that I was still struggling with certain issues in my life. The pain, the shame, the regret would not go away. Sharing our worst shames and hurts and sins does not break us free from the guilt. In our flesh, there will always be this awful sense of judgment in our lives -- "Someone has to pay for what I have done. Someone has to pay!"
To walk the earth with the empty sense that everything will just work out is not good enough. The uncertainty of a life in which we are always wondering if we are going to get slammed or hammered for something that we have done -- this is a burden which no one can overcome or ignore on one's own.
But that God for the Cross of Jesus Christ, in whom every sin was punished, every consequences was meted out, in whom every one of our sins is sent away, and we need never fear that we will get eaten up or beaten down for what we have done or will have to bear the burden for what was done to us!
To admit to one's crimes is just not enough. To keeping going over one's sins is a sham and a shame., The Finished Work of Jesus Christ has taken care or our sins once and for all. We have to know that the Sacrifice at the Cross has purged us from a conscience of dead works, as well.
I cannot recall how many times that I took my inventory, yet my life never seemed to get any better.
I remember that I would admit how afraid or angry that I was about certain people or situations, and my fear and anger never went away.
The idea that individuals must confess certain sins or they will not stop drinking is just not true.
I have met many people who confessed everything that they have ever done. They go over all the shameful things from their past over and over, yet for me the feelings would never subside. The program simply does not work!
The real problem for individuals is not the sin, not what they did, but the sense of guilt which never goes away. People keep on confessing all the bad things that they have done, and they do not feel any better.
I used to get certain things off my chest, but then I found that I was still struggling with certain issues in my life. The pain, the shame, the regret would not go away. Sharing our worst shames and hurts and sins does not break us free from the guilt. In our flesh, there will always be this awful sense of judgment in our lives -- "Someone has to pay for what I have done. Someone has to pay!"
To walk the earth with the empty sense that everything will just work out is not good enough. The uncertainty of a life in which we are always wondering if we are going to get slammed or hammered for something that we have done -- this is a burden which no one can overcome or ignore on one's own.
But that God for the Cross of Jesus Christ, in whom every sin was punished, every consequences was meted out, in whom every one of our sins is sent away, and we need never fear that we will get eaten up or beaten down for what we have done or will have to bear the burden for what was done to us!
To admit to one's crimes is just not enough. To keeping going over one's sins is a sham and a shame., The Finished Work of Jesus Christ has taken care or our sins once and for all. We have to know that the Sacrifice at the Cross has purged us from a conscience of dead works, as well.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
We Cannot be Cut Off from His Spirit
For when harboring such feelings we shut ourselves off from the sunlight of the
Spirit. (Big Book, pg. 66)
A thousand times "No!"
An infinite number of times "No!"
Nothing can separate us from God, the love of God, the Spirit of God!
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
"Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8: 38-39)
Because righteousness, total acceptance before the Father, is a gift (Romans 5: 17), then we cannot lose it?
Have we not read Psalm 139 enough times? Why has it not yet sunk into our minds?
"If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
"If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
"Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me." (Psalm 139: 8-10)
We cannot get away from Him, even if we wanted to! Why is that:?:
"But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." (Isaiah 43: 1-2)
Because we have redemption of sins in Christ (Ephesians 1: 7), we know that we are righteous before God, like His own Son, and therefore we rest in His righteousness (Hebrews 4: 9-11)
And here are some other scriptures about being "cut off":
"And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth." (Genesis 9: 11)
and
"Thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me." (Isaiah 48: 19)
Here, the prophet is speaking to the Israelite, but every believer is one of Abraham's seed through Christ:
"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3: 29)
We cannot be cut off from God's Spirit -- we must rest in the truth of God's Word, renewing our mind, and thus our feelings will follow.
A thousand times "No!"
An infinite number of times "No!"
Nothing can separate us from God, the love of God, the Spirit of God!
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
"Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8: 38-39)
Because righteousness, total acceptance before the Father, is a gift (Romans 5: 17), then we cannot lose it?
Have we not read Psalm 139 enough times? Why has it not yet sunk into our minds?
"If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
"If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
"Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me." (Psalm 139: 8-10)
We cannot get away from Him, even if we wanted to! Why is that:?:
"But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." (Isaiah 43: 1-2)
Because we have redemption of sins in Christ (Ephesians 1: 7), we know that we are righteous before God, like His own Son, and therefore we rest in His righteousness (Hebrews 4: 9-11)
And here are some other scriptures about being "cut off":
"And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth." (Genesis 9: 11)
and
"Thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me." (Isaiah 48: 19)
Here, the prophet is speaking to the Israelite, but every believer is one of Abraham's seed through Christ:
"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3: 29)
We cannot be cut off from God's Spirit -- we must rest in the truth of God's Word, renewing our mind, and thus our feelings will follow.
Sin, not Self -- and Christ, not Our Efforts
Selfishness - self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity,
we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate. Sometimes they hurt us,
seemingly without provocation, but we invariably find that at some time in the
past we have made decisions based on self which later placed us in a position to
be hurt. (Big Book, pg. 62)
All of this talk about self-centeredness just makes a man. . . self-centered!
The more that I tried not to be self-centered, the more self-centered I became! Paul had a similar experience:
"I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
"For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
"But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
"O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Romans 7: 21-24)
Paul identified the real problem -- sin -- and its attending results, condemnation.
Worse yet, our very efforts aggravate the very sins that we are trying to stop:
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law." (1 Corinthians 15: 56)
How do we forget ourselves, then? How do we break free from this bondage? We receive the life of another: Jesus Christ! Paul explains oh so gloriously:
"I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin." (Romans 7: 25)
Paul write the same to the Corinthians:
"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15: 57)
Christ becomes our new "Self", our new identity. We are hid in Christ (Colossians 3: 3), and Christ lives in us (Colossians 1: 27). He is the life of the believer, too (John 14: 6):
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2: 20)
We do not strive to be obedient, we do not strive to get rid of ourselves, something which we cannot do, but rather we are dead in Christ, free from all ordinances of the Law, and live through His Spirit:
"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)" (Ephesians 2: 5)
and
"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6: 11)
All of this talk about self-centeredness just makes a man. . . self-centered!
The more that I tried not to be self-centered, the more self-centered I became! Paul had a similar experience:
"I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
"For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
"But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
"O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Romans 7: 21-24)
Paul identified the real problem -- sin -- and its attending results, condemnation.
Worse yet, our very efforts aggravate the very sins that we are trying to stop:
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law." (1 Corinthians 15: 56)
How do we forget ourselves, then? How do we break free from this bondage? We receive the life of another: Jesus Christ! Paul explains oh so gloriously:
"I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin." (Romans 7: 25)
Paul write the same to the Corinthians:
"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15: 57)
Christ becomes our new "Self", our new identity. We are hid in Christ (Colossians 3: 3), and Christ lives in us (Colossians 1: 27). He is the life of the believer, too (John 14: 6):
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2: 20)
We do not strive to be obedient, we do not strive to get rid of ourselves, something which we cannot do, but rather we are dead in Christ, free from all ordinances of the Law, and live through His Spirit:
"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)" (Ephesians 2: 5)
and
"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6: 11)
Easiest, Softest Way: Jesus
At some of these we balked. We thought we could find an easier, softer way. But
we could not. With all the earnestness at our command, we beg of you to be
fearless and thorough from the very start. Some of us have tried to hold on to
our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go absolutely. (Big Book, pg. 58)
Indeed, there is an easier, softer, way:
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14: 6)
AA is one of man "old ideas" which believers must let go.
Indeed, there is an easier, softer, way:
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14: 6)
AA is one of man "old ideas" which believers must let go.
Christ is Simple and Easy for Him who Believes on Him
Simple, but not easy; a price had to be paid. It meant
destruction of self-centeredness. I must turn in all things to the Father of
Light who presides over us all. (Big Book, pg. 14)
Christ is simple:
"But I fear,
lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your
minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." (2 Corinthians 11: 3)
His yoke is easy:
"Come unto me, all
ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11: 28-30)
It's that simple, it's that easy, yet man will look evermore for "an easier, softer way", yet nothing could be easier than resting in Christ and letting Him live His life through you!
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11: 28-30)
It's that simple, it's that easy, yet man will look evermore for "an easier, softer way", yet nothing could be easier than resting in Christ and letting Him live His life through you!
Alcoholicss Anonymous: Vain Philosophy Indeed
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the
tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
"For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
"And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: " (Colossians 2: 8-10)
"The Twelve Steps" are a perfect example of the "philosophy and vain deceit", for it is in vain that a man can take his own inventory in full, when God has offered us grace through His Son to atone for all of our sins -- past, present, future -- those sins we know and those sins that we are not even aware of.
Psychology would have it that a man can confess and clean himself up with knowledge -- yet the heart of man, unregenerate and unrepentant, is evil, and no man can know it (Jeremiah 17: 9).
We need more than knowledge, certainly, but the transformation that we need, we cannot create for ourselves. We receive this grace by faith in Christ, not by works (Ephesians 2: 8)
Even if men and women replace the "Higher Power" with Jesus Christ, there are still those "traditions of men", those Twelve Steps, which do not take a man up to God, for no one could ever come to Him, but rather throw roadblocks in the way to receiving and releasing His life in them (Galatians 5: 4).
Paul indicts anything that man would add to Christ Jesus and His Finished Work:
"Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
"(Touch not; taste not; handle not;
"Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
"Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh." (Colossians 2: 20-23)
No greater display of will-worship is manifested than in the meetings where men and women crow about five, ten, thirty days, months, years etc. of sobriety.
And the program was supposed to be about ending self-centeredness!
Alcoholics Anonymous -- vain philosophy indeed!
"For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
"And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: " (Colossians 2: 8-10)
"The Twelve Steps" are a perfect example of the "philosophy and vain deceit", for it is in vain that a man can take his own inventory in full, when God has offered us grace through His Son to atone for all of our sins -- past, present, future -- those sins we know and those sins that we are not even aware of.
Psychology would have it that a man can confess and clean himself up with knowledge -- yet the heart of man, unregenerate and unrepentant, is evil, and no man can know it (Jeremiah 17: 9).
We need more than knowledge, certainly, but the transformation that we need, we cannot create for ourselves. We receive this grace by faith in Christ, not by works (Ephesians 2: 8)
Even if men and women replace the "Higher Power" with Jesus Christ, there are still those "traditions of men", those Twelve Steps, which do not take a man up to God, for no one could ever come to Him, but rather throw roadblocks in the way to receiving and releasing His life in them (Galatians 5: 4).
Paul indicts anything that man would add to Christ Jesus and His Finished Work:
"Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
"(Touch not; taste not; handle not;
"Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
"Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh." (Colossians 2: 20-23)
No greater display of will-worship is manifested than in the meetings where men and women crow about five, ten, thirty days, months, years etc. of sobriety.
And the program was supposed to be about ending self-centeredness!
Alcoholics Anonymous -- vain philosophy indeed!
Our Mind Rests in Him
Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God's will into all of our activities. "How can I best serve Thee - Thy will (not mine) be done."
This passage brought me into terrible bondage for a long time.
For a program that tells us not to think about ourselves, this train of thought invites nothing but introspection and bondage and condemnation.
"We must carry. . ."
A God of our understanding who requires that we carry His water for Him is a poor and weak God, indeed.
Jesus does the carrying for us:
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11: 28-30)
Paul explains the revelation in this passage:
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5: 1)
The former bondage was the law, the ordinances which witness against us, exposing our sin state (Romans 3: 19-20) . We are now called to serve through the Spirit working in us:
"Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." (2 Corinthians 3: 6)
The "yoke" that Jesus invites us to receive is Himself, His Life, which we receive by the Holy Spirit.
We are not called to busy our minds with "what do I do?", but rather rest in what Jesus has done, and let the Spirit of God lead us (Galatians 5: 16), letting the peace of Christ rule -- preside as a judge -- in our hearts (Colossians 3: 15).
We can do nothing of ourselves. In fact, Jesus asks us to do one thing:
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15: 4-5)
We are called to remain in Him, in His Word, which planted in our hearts (James 1: 21), bears fruit, leads us to obey Him, for the Word of God is Spirit and Life (John 6: 63).
Rather than busying ourselves without what to do, we are called to rest, to stay our minds on Him:
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."" (Isaiah 26: 3)
And this perfect peace is Christ (Ephesians 2: 14), and His will is already in us (Philippians 2: 13), working in us what He wants us to do!
This passage brought me into terrible bondage for a long time.
For a program that tells us not to think about ourselves, this train of thought invites nothing but introspection and bondage and condemnation.
"We must carry. . ."
A God of our understanding who requires that we carry His water for Him is a poor and weak God, indeed.
Jesus does the carrying for us:
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11: 28-30)
Paul explains the revelation in this passage:
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5: 1)
The former bondage was the law, the ordinances which witness against us, exposing our sin state (Romans 3: 19-20) . We are now called to serve through the Spirit working in us:
"Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." (2 Corinthians 3: 6)
The "yoke" that Jesus invites us to receive is Himself, His Life, which we receive by the Holy Spirit.
We are not called to busy our minds with "what do I do?", but rather rest in what Jesus has done, and let the Spirit of God lead us (Galatians 5: 16), letting the peace of Christ rule -- preside as a judge -- in our hearts (Colossians 3: 15).
We can do nothing of ourselves. In fact, Jesus asks us to do one thing:
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15: 4-5)
We are called to remain in Him, in His Word, which planted in our hearts (James 1: 21), bears fruit, leads us to obey Him, for the Word of God is Spirit and Life (John 6: 63).
Rather than busying ourselves without what to do, we are called to rest, to stay our minds on Him:
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."" (Isaiah 26: 3)
And this perfect peace is Christ (Ephesians 2: 14), and His will is already in us (Philippians 2: 13), working in us what He wants us to do!
Not Our Laurels, But His Finished Work
It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels.
We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not
cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the
maintenance of our spiritual condition. Every day is a day when we must carry
the vision of God's will into all of our activities. "How can I best serve Thee
- Thy will (not mine) be done." These are thoughts which must go with us
constantly. We can exercise our will power along this line all we wish. It is
the proper use of the will. (Big Book, pg. 85)
"Spiritual program. . ." the very phrase invites derision.
We do not "work" a spiritual anything, for the Spirit of God works by grace in us.
"Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (Galatians 3: 3)
We do not work up God's salvation, but rather work out what God has already worked in:
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2: 12-13)
No passage in the Big Book so wars against the rest and relief which believers are called to receive in Christ Jesus!
Alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism.
In Christ, every enemy is vanquished, including alcohol abuse, which is a work of the flesh!:
"And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
"And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. " (Colossians 2: 13-15)
Every demon, every devil, every evil thing has been vanquished once and for all. Our job is to adopt the same attitude of triumph that our Lord Jesus has:
"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place." (2 Corinthians 2: 14)
We are more than conquerors in Christ (Romans 8: 37). We are not called to fight, but to stand in His victory (Ephesians 6: 13). Like Jesus, we are sitting at the right hand of God, as Jesus is, so are we in this world (1 John 4: 17). And what does God the Father tell His Son to do:
"Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? " (Hebrews 1: 12)
We are not called to work for what God has so freely given us (Romans 8: 32)
We do not rest on our laurels, nor do we try to get what God has already given us (Ephesians 1: 3), but rather we rest in God's Finished Work -- His Son Jesus Christ, who died for us, who lives in us, and works in us!
"Spiritual program. . ." the very phrase invites derision.
We do not "work" a spiritual anything, for the Spirit of God works by grace in us.
"Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (Galatians 3: 3)
We do not work up God's salvation, but rather work out what God has already worked in:
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2: 12-13)
No passage in the Big Book so wars against the rest and relief which believers are called to receive in Christ Jesus!
Alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism.
In Christ, every enemy is vanquished, including alcohol abuse, which is a work of the flesh!:
"And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
"And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. " (Colossians 2: 13-15)
Every demon, every devil, every evil thing has been vanquished once and for all. Our job is to adopt the same attitude of triumph that our Lord Jesus has:
"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place." (2 Corinthians 2: 14)
We are more than conquerors in Christ (Romans 8: 37). We are not called to fight, but to stand in His victory (Ephesians 6: 13). Like Jesus, we are sitting at the right hand of God, as Jesus is, so are we in this world (1 John 4: 17). And what does God the Father tell His Son to do:
"Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? " (Hebrews 1: 12)
We are not called to work for what God has so freely given us (Romans 8: 32)
We do not rest on our laurels, nor do we try to get what God has already given us (Ephesians 1: 3), but rather we rest in God's Finished Work -- His Son Jesus Christ, who died for us, who lives in us, and works in us!
Misquoting Scripture: "Faith Without Works is Dead"
But this is not all. There is action and more action. "Faith without works is
dead." (Big Book, pg. 88)
The perverse use of this Scripture, "Faith without works is dead" (James 2: 20) is one of the most heinous abuses of Scripture in the entire Alcoholics Anonymous Book.
Even denominational Christians, who are not involved in any program of recovery, misconstrue this passage! Pastors like Joseph Prince, Andrew Wommack, and others have diligently instructed believers on how to rightly divide the Word of God.
Before engaging in a spirited, Spirit-filled revelation of this passage, let us refer to Peter's caution:
"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." (2 Peter 2: 10)
Here, private does not mean "individual" as if the Word of God cannot speak to you personally, but rather "isolated", as in separated from the harmony of scripture. Jesus Christ Himself is the central theme of all Scripture (Luke 24: 26-27), above all, and any interpretation that diminished Christ or adds anything to His Finished Work is a rank perversion, as well.
So let us consider James 2: 20 first of all in light of the passage in which it is found,the entire book, an finally within the totally of Christ and Him Crucified.
The entire passage in James appears thus:
"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
If a man "says" that he has faith, of course, and that does not mean that he believes! Many people may say that they have faith, but their profession has no confession because they are not skillful in their righteous standing before God (Hebrews 4: 16; 5: 13)
"If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
"And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
that they are saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus have a living faith!:
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2: 20)
"Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Beyond question, we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2: 4-8), but this faith will produce obedience.
"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
The object of our faith is what matters the most. The devils believe that "there is one God". Exactly that, and nothing more. They do not have perfect doctrine, as some commentators would suggest. As James is writing to the circumcision, the Jews (James 1: 1 -- "To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting), he was well aware that they would know the Shema ("Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD" --Deuteronomy 6: 4).
Yet Jesus tells the same Israelites of the one work which they are called to do:
"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6: 29)
By His death we are saved from our sins, by His Life, by His faith we live! The Israelites believed in one God, but they had to receive the revelation that Jesus Christ was God in the flesh, too.
"But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
"Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Abraham was deemed righteous before God long before (Genesis 15: 6) Twenty years later, he sacrificed his son, justifying as a witness before men of the saving faith which he had, the savig faith that made him righteous.
There is not contradiction here. We are saved by grace through faith, but James was writing to the Circumcision, and the false belief was that faith by itself, with works to follow, would save a man. Yet a man who believes on Him whom God the Father has sent will produce obedience, just like a tree brings forth fruit.
"Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
This verse clarified cogently the whole matter -- faith made "perfect", or rather "complete." Abraham's faith in the Lord allowed God to bring forth a child of promise, Isaac, who in turn was then offered on Mount Moriah, a type of God the Father giving His Son to die for us.
"And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
The Scripture was fulfilled! Abraham's faith, steadfastness to God's Word, brought forth obedience!
"Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
"Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2: 14-26)
The issue, therefore, is not a matter of saved by grace or saved by works, but rather the heart change which takes place by grace through faith will produce the works! Faith cannot help but bring forth obedience in a believer, if he believes in Jesus, God made flesh made a sacrifice oce and for all ofr our sins.
Even in an earlier passage, James signals that the more that a man hears and believes the word, then he obeys:
"For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
"For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
"But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." (James 1: 23-25)
Here, the "perfect law of liberty" is the Gospel, and continuing in this law of liberty -- here, "continue" renders the Greek word παραμένω paramenó, which means "abide, remain in, stay with. . .
So, a believer who keeps hearing, keeps believing what he reads about Christ and Him Crucified becomes by the Spirit of God a doer of the work, and blessed indeed in his deed!
We are not called to strive for obedience, but thrive on His Word, which in turn awakens obedience in us!
Of course, this scripture will excite bondage and works of the flesh when not mixed with the faith in and of the Son of God!
The perverse use of this Scripture, "Faith without works is dead" (James 2: 20) is one of the most heinous abuses of Scripture in the entire Alcoholics Anonymous Book.
Even denominational Christians, who are not involved in any program of recovery, misconstrue this passage! Pastors like Joseph Prince, Andrew Wommack, and others have diligently instructed believers on how to rightly divide the Word of God.
Before engaging in a spirited, Spirit-filled revelation of this passage, let us refer to Peter's caution:
"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." (2 Peter 2: 10)
Here, private does not mean "individual" as if the Word of God cannot speak to you personally, but rather "isolated", as in separated from the harmony of scripture. Jesus Christ Himself is the central theme of all Scripture (Luke 24: 26-27), above all, and any interpretation that diminished Christ or adds anything to His Finished Work is a rank perversion, as well.
So let us consider James 2: 20 first of all in light of the passage in which it is found,the entire book, an finally within the totally of Christ and Him Crucified.
The entire passage in James appears thus:
"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
If a man "says" that he has faith, of course, and that does not mean that he believes! Many people may say that they have faith, but their profession has no confession because they are not skillful in their righteous standing before God (Hebrews 4: 16; 5: 13)
"If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
"And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
that they are saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus have a living faith!:
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2: 20)
"Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Beyond question, we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2: 4-8), but this faith will produce obedience.
"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
The object of our faith is what matters the most. The devils believe that "there is one God". Exactly that, and nothing more. They do not have perfect doctrine, as some commentators would suggest. As James is writing to the circumcision, the Jews (James 1: 1 -- "To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting), he was well aware that they would know the Shema ("Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD" --Deuteronomy 6: 4).
Yet Jesus tells the same Israelites of the one work which they are called to do:
"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6: 29)
By His death we are saved from our sins, by His Life, by His faith we live! The Israelites believed in one God, but they had to receive the revelation that Jesus Christ was God in the flesh, too.
"But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
"Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Abraham was deemed righteous before God long before (Genesis 15: 6) Twenty years later, he sacrificed his son, justifying as a witness before men of the saving faith which he had, the savig faith that made him righteous.
There is not contradiction here. We are saved by grace through faith, but James was writing to the Circumcision, and the false belief was that faith by itself, with works to follow, would save a man. Yet a man who believes on Him whom God the Father has sent will produce obedience, just like a tree brings forth fruit.
"Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
This verse clarified cogently the whole matter -- faith made "perfect", or rather "complete." Abraham's faith in the Lord allowed God to bring forth a child of promise, Isaac, who in turn was then offered on Mount Moriah, a type of God the Father giving His Son to die for us.
"And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
The Scripture was fulfilled! Abraham's faith, steadfastness to God's Word, brought forth obedience!
"Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
"Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2: 14-26)
The issue, therefore, is not a matter of saved by grace or saved by works, but rather the heart change which takes place by grace through faith will produce the works! Faith cannot help but bring forth obedience in a believer, if he believes in Jesus, God made flesh made a sacrifice oce and for all ofr our sins.
Even in an earlier passage, James signals that the more that a man hears and believes the word, then he obeys:
"For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
"For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
"But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." (James 1: 23-25)
Here, the "perfect law of liberty" is the Gospel, and continuing in this law of liberty -- here, "continue" renders the Greek word παραμένω paramenó, which means "abide, remain in, stay with. . .
So, a believer who keeps hearing, keeps believing what he reads about Christ and Him Crucified becomes by the Spirit of God a doer of the work, and blessed indeed in his deed!
We are not called to strive for obedience, but thrive on His Word, which in turn awakens obedience in us!
Of course, this scripture will excite bondage and works of the flesh when not mixed with the faith in and of the Son of God!
God: Father, not just Friend
There I humbly offered myself to God, as I then understood Him, to do with me as
He would. I placed myself unreservedly under His care and direction. I admitted
for the first time that of myself I was nothing; that without Him I was lost. I
ruthlessly faced my sins and became willing to have my new-found Friend take
them away, root and branch. I have not had a drink since. (Big Book, pg. 13)
Bill W. started about offering Himself up to God, but a dead man has nothing to offer, not even himself.
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5: 8)
Jesus made it very clear that we do not find God, but rather God finds us:
"And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father." (John 6: 65)
We enter into Sonship with God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ -- He is far more than a "Friend", as Bill W. claimed.
I also find it quite telling that Bill W. talks about "sins" in this portion of his story, but in the Twelve Steps, adherents in the program are expected to come to grips with their "defects of character". This discrepancies are telling and disturbing.
"I have no had a drink since. .. "
At the end of his life, Bill was clamoring for alcohol. He also dabbled with other illicit drugs, like LSD. This man's claims to sobriety are false and all washed up.
"I ruthlessly faced my sins and became willing to have my new-found Friend take them away, root and branch."
The Root of Jesse (Isaiah 11: 10) and the Branch of Righteousness (Jeremiah 33: 15) has taken away all our sins at the Cross (Colossians 2: 13).
We bring nothing but our faith, which is also given to us in the Word of the Gospel:
"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." (Romans 10: 17 NASB)
Bill W. started about offering Himself up to God, but a dead man has nothing to offer, not even himself.
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5: 8)
Jesus made it very clear that we do not find God, but rather God finds us:
"And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father." (John 6: 65)
We enter into Sonship with God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ -- He is far more than a "Friend", as Bill W. claimed.
I also find it quite telling that Bill W. talks about "sins" in this portion of his story, but in the Twelve Steps, adherents in the program are expected to come to grips with their "defects of character". This discrepancies are telling and disturbing.
"I have no had a drink since. .. "
At the end of his life, Bill was clamoring for alcohol. He also dabbled with other illicit drugs, like LSD. This man's claims to sobriety are false and all washed up.
"I ruthlessly faced my sins and became willing to have my new-found Friend take them away, root and branch."
The Root of Jesse (Isaiah 11: 10) and the Branch of Righteousness (Jeremiah 33: 15) has taken away all our sins at the Cross (Colossians 2: 13).
We bring nothing but our faith, which is also given to us in the Word of the Gospel:
"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." (Romans 10: 17 NASB)
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Confronting the Delusion -- A Personal Reflection
Celebrate Recovery, I thought, would be better than the regular, secular AA meetings. I mean, I was not going to settle for any "higher power", but for Jesus Christ Himself.
Boy, was I wrong. The members of Celebrate Recovery were more judgmental, more gossipy, more vindictive, more full of shame.
Could it be otherwise? The whole thing is a mixed message. God gives us unconditional love and grace through His Son's Perfect Work, but we have to confess our sins and work a program in order to keep this unconditional love and favor in our live. If I have to work to keep it, then it was never unconditional to begin with!
Let's take in its fullness Paul's glorious declaration:
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
"Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8: 38-39)
Nothing -- not one thing -- but we have to rest and believe this -- yet we cannot rest if we keep taking our inventory, trying to finish the Finished Work!
It is on this wise that I recall implicating the folly of this program with two people who were still knee-deep in meetings, in sponsorship, in taking their inventories.
The Monday night meetings had their fun, for a while at least, but the shine, the "Pink Cloud" wore off after a little while, as it always does. I found myself rehashing a whole bunch of sins, not knowing which sin that I had committed in the past was still affecting me today, causing me to still struggle with my hurts, habits, and hang-ups.
Today I rejoice because Jesus was hung up for my hangups!
Yet week after week the members of small groups and the general meeting, getting all hung up on what Jesus has already paid for!
After nearly a year of meandering around in that program, after suffering one slight after another, after seeing no victory in my life, I walked out of the Friday afternoon meeting, never to look back.
It was not easy. I could not believe how hard the members of the meeting kept trying to make me come back. I got at least three phone calls within two days from members who wanted to know how I was doing.
"I just want you to know, Arthur, that I love you and I am praying for you." God, I felt sick to my stomach, as if their love had made any difference in my life. I felt picked on, abused, frustrated, and in one case humiliating by one member who could not rub two days of sobriety together, yet felt justified to judge me and others on what we said and done. The law in any way, shape, or form, creates impoverished Pharisees, provoking people who make you feel worse once the meeting ends!
The fact that I was getting so many calls, almost pleas for me to return, indicated to me that I was doing the right thing for once!
I never felt so good quitting something that was so bad -- I celebrated my immediate recovery from "Celebrate Recovery"
From time to time, I would see some of the members from the meeting who were most likely still "going back". They did not look any better, still down and out. But I am glad that I could get away as soon as I did.
Fast forward a year later -- and I saw one of the younger members from the program. I was eating at a local fast-food restaurant. He sat in the table right in front of mine, but at the first glance I said nothing.
I recalled some of his story. He had been married once before and divorced, and he was younger than I was. He had been a teacher like me, he had faced the ups and downs of the teaching profession, and he was also a tutor, just like I had been in those days.
Then he turned around, greeted me. We started talking a little, then one of the group leaders came by, laughing all the way. He had a distinctive laugh, one that made people cringe and smile at the same time. Anyone would know that he was coming within a split second of hearing him laugh.
We started to talk about what we had all been up to over the past year. I was starting to burn up on the inside, though, frustrated at what a bankrupt program the whole mess had been, sitting in those meetings for weeks and not getting any better.
Then I just told them the truth unequivocal:
"I'm glad that I stopped going to Celebrate Recovery. It was a program that was going nowhere fast, and I was not getting any better."
The older guy, the one with the funny laugh, went from smiling to frowning. Then I really let them have it:
"You guys are holding people back! You are not letting people grow up!"
The older guy became visibly offended. "What are you saying, then? Are you saying that J. S. -- the leader of the meeting -- is not doing any good for anybody?"
I could not believe what I was hearing. He was defending the leader of the Celebrate Recovery Program as if she was God Himself! That woman did not die for my sins, and her program was neutralizing the power of the Cross by telling people that they had to " X-Y-Z" to stay recovered.
The younger guy, the one who had been divorced, then spoke up:
"You know what, you're right! We have been talking about this issue in the last few meetings. . ."
"Well, that's great and all -- but what are you going to do about it?"
The two had little to say after that, then they walked away.
I did not say what I had to say perfectly, but I said it nonetheless, and I was glad to do it.
There is a big problem in the Body of Christ, where men and women are afraid to provoke one another to walk in the good works which God has already prepared for us beforehand and called us to walk in.
About six months later, I returned to the Celebrate Recovery Meeting to share what I had been learning about the fullness of the Gospel -- how Christ's death was not just to forgive us of all our sins, but also to grant us His life, that He could live through us!
A few of the newcomers were glad to hear what I had to share. Some of them could not believe that righteousness, perfect standing before God, has nothing to do with them, but is a gift that God keeps on giving!
I also recalled that the two men whom I had confronted six months prior were no longer going to the meetings. In fact, not many people were going to the meetings at all! The membership seemed to drop to very few people altogether!
I confronted this delusion long ago, and I would gladly do it again! I hope and pray that more people in the Body of Christ learn that they are already recovered, that there is no need to keep trying to work a program and earn what God has already freely given to them!
Boy, was I wrong. The members of Celebrate Recovery were more judgmental, more gossipy, more vindictive, more full of shame.
Could it be otherwise? The whole thing is a mixed message. God gives us unconditional love and grace through His Son's Perfect Work, but we have to confess our sins and work a program in order to keep this unconditional love and favor in our live. If I have to work to keep it, then it was never unconditional to begin with!
Let's take in its fullness Paul's glorious declaration:
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
"Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8: 38-39)
Nothing -- not one thing -- but we have to rest and believe this -- yet we cannot rest if we keep taking our inventory, trying to finish the Finished Work!
It is on this wise that I recall implicating the folly of this program with two people who were still knee-deep in meetings, in sponsorship, in taking their inventories.
The Monday night meetings had their fun, for a while at least, but the shine, the "Pink Cloud" wore off after a little while, as it always does. I found myself rehashing a whole bunch of sins, not knowing which sin that I had committed in the past was still affecting me today, causing me to still struggle with my hurts, habits, and hang-ups.
Today I rejoice because Jesus was hung up for my hangups!
Yet week after week the members of small groups and the general meeting, getting all hung up on what Jesus has already paid for!
After nearly a year of meandering around in that program, after suffering one slight after another, after seeing no victory in my life, I walked out of the Friday afternoon meeting, never to look back.
It was not easy. I could not believe how hard the members of the meeting kept trying to make me come back. I got at least three phone calls within two days from members who wanted to know how I was doing.
"I just want you to know, Arthur, that I love you and I am praying for you." God, I felt sick to my stomach, as if their love had made any difference in my life. I felt picked on, abused, frustrated, and in one case humiliating by one member who could not rub two days of sobriety together, yet felt justified to judge me and others on what we said and done. The law in any way, shape, or form, creates impoverished Pharisees, provoking people who make you feel worse once the meeting ends!
The fact that I was getting so many calls, almost pleas for me to return, indicated to me that I was doing the right thing for once!
I never felt so good quitting something that was so bad -- I celebrated my immediate recovery from "Celebrate Recovery"
From time to time, I would see some of the members from the meeting who were most likely still "going back". They did not look any better, still down and out. But I am glad that I could get away as soon as I did.
Fast forward a year later -- and I saw one of the younger members from the program. I was eating at a local fast-food restaurant. He sat in the table right in front of mine, but at the first glance I said nothing.
I recalled some of his story. He had been married once before and divorced, and he was younger than I was. He had been a teacher like me, he had faced the ups and downs of the teaching profession, and he was also a tutor, just like I had been in those days.
Then he turned around, greeted me. We started talking a little, then one of the group leaders came by, laughing all the way. He had a distinctive laugh, one that made people cringe and smile at the same time. Anyone would know that he was coming within a split second of hearing him laugh.
We started to talk about what we had all been up to over the past year. I was starting to burn up on the inside, though, frustrated at what a bankrupt program the whole mess had been, sitting in those meetings for weeks and not getting any better.
Then I just told them the truth unequivocal:
"I'm glad that I stopped going to Celebrate Recovery. It was a program that was going nowhere fast, and I was not getting any better."
The older guy, the one with the funny laugh, went from smiling to frowning. Then I really let them have it:
"You guys are holding people back! You are not letting people grow up!"
The older guy became visibly offended. "What are you saying, then? Are you saying that J. S. -- the leader of the meeting -- is not doing any good for anybody?"
I could not believe what I was hearing. He was defending the leader of the Celebrate Recovery Program as if she was God Himself! That woman did not die for my sins, and her program was neutralizing the power of the Cross by telling people that they had to " X-Y-Z" to stay recovered.
The younger guy, the one who had been divorced, then spoke up:
"You know what, you're right! We have been talking about this issue in the last few meetings. . ."
"Well, that's great and all -- but what are you going to do about it?"
The two had little to say after that, then they walked away.
I did not say what I had to say perfectly, but I said it nonetheless, and I was glad to do it.
There is a big problem in the Body of Christ, where men and women are afraid to provoke one another to walk in the good works which God has already prepared for us beforehand and called us to walk in.
About six months later, I returned to the Celebrate Recovery Meeting to share what I had been learning about the fullness of the Gospel -- how Christ's death was not just to forgive us of all our sins, but also to grant us His life, that He could live through us!
A few of the newcomers were glad to hear what I had to share. Some of them could not believe that righteousness, perfect standing before God, has nothing to do with them, but is a gift that God keeps on giving!
I also recalled that the two men whom I had confronted six months prior were no longer going to the meetings. In fact, not many people were going to the meetings at all! The membership seemed to drop to very few people altogether!
I confronted this delusion long ago, and I would gladly do it again! I hope and pray that more people in the Body of Christ learn that they are already recovered, that there is no need to keep trying to work a program and earn what God has already freely given to them!
"Celebrate Recovery?" Let's Celebrate Resurrection Life!
I cannot write this enough:
Celebrate Recovery does not "celebrate" or "recover" anyone or anything!
People sitting around feeling sorry for themselves, still grousing over their sins, when Scripture makes it very clear:
"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10: 14)
Do we really think that we can "complete" a work that has already been completed, that Christ has already done, already sitting at the right hand of the Father in glory and honor?
Jesus Christ hung on the Cross for six hours, three suffering as man, and three suffering as God, and at the end of the intense wrath, becoming sin for us, Jesus cried out to the entire universe for all time:
"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost." (John 19:30)
"It is Finished. . ." yet men and women still believe that they have to confess their sins, making atonement for all the wrongdoing that they have done.
What a ridiculous blasphemy! How grieved God must be, that his darling children still feel like the owe God something. God the Father must feel the same way the Joseph felt after his brothers begged for his forgiveness after their Father Jacob died:
"And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.
"And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,
"So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him." (Genesis 50: 15-17)
Whether Jacob had commanded his brothers to send the messenger is immaterial at this point. Joseph wept because they still felt guilty, they still feared a backlash for all that they had done. Joseph had more than forgiven them, providing for them all that time in Egypt -- yet they still feared.
The most important message we can send to the world and to one another in the Body of Christ is that all of our sins have been put down, put out, put away forever at the Cross. We are called to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord, taking in the truth that His Sacrifice is greater than our sin, our shame, our hurts and horrors -- and we are to gain an expanding vision of every evil placed under the feet of Jesus!
On this account, without hesitation, I see no reason why men and women should be sitting in a meeting going over all of their sins. God does not remember (Hebrews 8: 12), so why should we, and why should we care if someone else does?
Instead of "Celebrate Recovery", we must "Celebrate Resurrection" -- the Resurrection life that we receive because of Christ's death on the Cross, the life that we receive through His Holy Spirit!
Celebrate Recovery does not "celebrate" or "recover" anyone or anything!
People sitting around feeling sorry for themselves, still grousing over their sins, when Scripture makes it very clear:
"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10: 14)
Do we really think that we can "complete" a work that has already been completed, that Christ has already done, already sitting at the right hand of the Father in glory and honor?
Jesus Christ hung on the Cross for six hours, three suffering as man, and three suffering as God, and at the end of the intense wrath, becoming sin for us, Jesus cried out to the entire universe for all time:
"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost." (John 19:30)
"It is Finished. . ." yet men and women still believe that they have to confess their sins, making atonement for all the wrongdoing that they have done.
What a ridiculous blasphemy! How grieved God must be, that his darling children still feel like the owe God something. God the Father must feel the same way the Joseph felt after his brothers begged for his forgiveness after their Father Jacob died:
"And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.
"And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,
"So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him." (Genesis 50: 15-17)
Whether Jacob had commanded his brothers to send the messenger is immaterial at this point. Joseph wept because they still felt guilty, they still feared a backlash for all that they had done. Joseph had more than forgiven them, providing for them all that time in Egypt -- yet they still feared.
The most important message we can send to the world and to one another in the Body of Christ is that all of our sins have been put down, put out, put away forever at the Cross. We are called to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord, taking in the truth that His Sacrifice is greater than our sin, our shame, our hurts and horrors -- and we are to gain an expanding vision of every evil placed under the feet of Jesus!
On this account, without hesitation, I see no reason why men and women should be sitting in a meeting going over all of their sins. God does not remember (Hebrews 8: 12), so why should we, and why should we care if someone else does?
Instead of "Celebrate Recovery", we must "Celebrate Resurrection" -- the Resurrection life that we receive because of Christ's death on the Cross, the life that we receive through His Holy Spirit!
"It's So Boring"
I remember one encounter that I had with a bum on the street in Redondo Beach, California.
He was one of those "repeat" thirty-day chip types.
He would go to a meeting, get sober for thirty days, then go out and drink again.
I remember sitting down with him and sharing with him what I knew about the program, what I knew about the program, how it works, all that other stuff.
"Yeah, I know about all that stuff," he told me.
"I was able to stay sober for about two months sometimes, but then it got boring."
It was boring to him, the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. It was a strange thought to me.
"Yeah, it's so boring, and I want to have fun!"
I offered him a piece of fruit from lunch, but then he blew me off.
"Is it organic? Has it been washed?"
I could not believe how prissy this guy was about a piece of fruit, but he had no problem drinking himself to death.
I never really let that issue sink into my mind at the time, but isn't that what everyone is looking for? Life and that more abundantly?
Alcoholics Anonymous cannot give a man what he really needs -- life.
We are dead in our trespasses, and without Christ and Him Crucified, a man will go from the bottle to the ashtray or to the doughnut box or to some other harmful yet legal and less deviant addiction!
I was recalling that bum on the street on Redondo Beach. He signalled loud and clear that the program does not work, and "working it" only makes it worse!
He was one of those "repeat" thirty-day chip types.
He would go to a meeting, get sober for thirty days, then go out and drink again.
I remember sitting down with him and sharing with him what I knew about the program, what I knew about the program, how it works, all that other stuff.
"Yeah, I know about all that stuff," he told me.
"I was able to stay sober for about two months sometimes, but then it got boring."
It was boring to him, the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. It was a strange thought to me.
"Yeah, it's so boring, and I want to have fun!"
I offered him a piece of fruit from lunch, but then he blew me off.
"Is it organic? Has it been washed?"
I could not believe how prissy this guy was about a piece of fruit, but he had no problem drinking himself to death.
I never really let that issue sink into my mind at the time, but isn't that what everyone is looking for? Life and that more abundantly?
Alcoholics Anonymous cannot give a man what he really needs -- life.
We are dead in our trespasses, and without Christ and Him Crucified, a man will go from the bottle to the ashtray or to the doughnut box or to some other harmful yet legal and less deviant addiction!
I was recalling that bum on the street on Redondo Beach. He signalled loud and clear that the program does not work, and "working it" only makes it worse!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
A "Delusion" for You -- Ending the Vision
We have shown how we got out from under. You say, "Yes, I'm
willing. But am I to be consigned to a life where I shall be stupid, boring and
glum, like some righteous people I see? I know I must get along without liquor,
but how can I? Have you a sufficient substitute?"
Yes, there is a substitute and it is vastly more than that. It
is a fellowship in Alcoholics Anonymous. There you will find release from care,
boredom and worry. Your imagination will be fired. Life will mean something at
last. The most satisfactory years of your existence lie ahead. Thus we find the
fellowship, and so will you.
The following passage emerges near the end of the Big Book, inviting new-comers who have gotten sober to enter the conviviality of Alcoholics Anonymous, to have fun in the meetings.
I have been to many meeting in my life, and I can tell you that I have never met so concentrated a collective of bitter, empty, unhappy people.
Yes, this is a sweeping statement. Let me qualify it somewhat - the Big Book wants to give the newcomer that a warm and wonderful life await him or her upon entering the program..
From the first day, visitors and speakers who shared about their experience will tell you that they get tired of the same recovering alcoholics who repeat the same empty stories.
"What it was like. . . what happened. . . what it's like now. .'
Yet I remember one guy, Gary, he was a gregarious fellow, a lot of fun, yet he admitted that his life had not gotten any better, aside from no longer drinking. He once shared with me that he had written a ninety-page letter to his Dad, who was living in a nursing home. What was that man still searching for that he had not found in AA?
In some meetings, members would bicker and fight with each other. I still remember how one member would pick on another man, an older gentleman who command a deep respect because he at least identified that people in AA did not have "drinking problems" but rather "living problems."
Of course, most people do not want to hear that their best efforts not to drink are enough. That is just a bunch of empty nonsense. We have more than living problems, of course, since we are all dead in our trespasses. Yet the older man was right on the money when it came to the real problems that bedevil members of AA.
The idea of a warm and happy fellowship in AA is just not true, like a dysfunctional family that poses for the family portrait at the mall photo-shop, only to snap and bark at each other on the way home in the car, and then Mom passe out on the couch drunk while Dad abuses the kids.
The desire for happy, joyous, and free does not come from the meetings. I and many others can attest that the moment we walked out of those meetings, our lives took a turn for the better!
Taking Down the "Spiritual Experience"
The terms “spiritual experience” and
“spiritual awakening” are used many times in this book which, upon careful
reading, shows that the personality change sufficient to bring about recovery
from alcoholism has manifested itself among us in many different forms.
I will keep on harping on the truth of the matter for all of humanity -- we do not need a personality change, we need a heart change, we need life --- eternal life, which only Christ Jesus can give through the Holy Spirit, which has been offered to us, that we may receive it by faith!
Yet it is true that our first printing gave many readers the impression that these personality changes, or religious experiences, must be in the nature of sudden and spectacular upheavals.
There can be no greater upheaval than passing from death to life -- there can be no greater change to a man's entire system than the knowledge that all of his sins are forgiven, and forever, at the Cross, that Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, evermore justifying us!
Happily for everyone, this conclusion is erroneous. In the first few chapters a number of sudden revolutionary changes are described. Though it was not our intention to create such an impression, many alcoholics have nevertheless concluded that in order to recover they must acquire an immediate and overwhelming “God-consciousness” followed at once by a vast change in feeling and outlook.
We do not merely receive a "God-consciousness", we receive sonship through Christ!
Among our rapidly growing membership of thousands of alcoholics such transformations, though frequent, are by no means the rule. Most of our experiences are what the psychologist William James calls the “educational variety” because they develop slowly over a period of time.
Henry James is the last source that anyone should appeal to in order to get any ideas about anything. This man readily concluded that a man's experience and impressions determine truth. Uet or faith about something has not merit unless the object of our trust is praise-worthy and trust-worthy.
By dying for all our sins at the Cross, by taking away our punishment, effectively finishing off the ordinances against us, we can take God at His Word, for He gave His own Son -- will He not freely give us all things with Him?
Quite often friends of the newcomer are aware of the difference long before he is himself. He finally realizes that he has undergone a profound alteration in his reaction to life; that such a change could hardly have been brought about by himself alone. What often takes place in a few months could seldom have been accomplished by years of self discipline. With few exceptions our members find that they have tapped an unsuspected inner resource which they presently identify with their own conception of a Power greater than themselves.
I do need merely a power greater than myself -- I need a revelation of God Almighty, whose power holds together the universe and also holds me!
Most of us think this awareness of a Power greater than ourselves is the essence of spiritual experience. Our more religious members call it “God-consciousness.”
Most emphatically we wish to say that any alcoholic capable of honestly facing his problems in the light of our experience can recover, provided he does not close his mind to all spiritual concepts. He can only be defeated by an attitude of intolerance or belligerent denial.
Open-mindedness is impossible without the Truth that sets us free -- and that Truth is Jesus Christ!
We find that no one need have difficulty with the spirituality of the program. Willingness, honesty and open mindedness are the essentials of recovery. But these are indispensable.
“There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance—that principle is contempt prior to investigation.” -- Herbert Spencer
With this standard in mind, the world is still waiting for documented proof that AA leads to a long and sustaining recovery -- no such evidence exists because the source of this and every other perversion in human experience is the lack of life which every man suffers from, as we are dead in our trespasses because of Adam's sin.
Follow In Jesus' Steps By Walking in the Spirit!
One blog post on http://www.perfectpeaceplan.com/post/celebrate-recovery-exposed/, I found the following entry:
Whose steps are you following? Pick one!
a) Wilson and Smith
b) Baker and Warren
c) Jesus: To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in HIS STEPS. 1Pe 2:21
Everyone has a choice. Now is a good time to make the right one.
Inevitably, everyone of us in the Body of Christ cannot help but go further by resting in the Finished Work of our savior Jesus Christ.
Indeed, we are called to follow in His steps:
"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:" (1 Peter 2: 21)
Then Peter explains what that means:
"Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
"Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
"For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." (1 Peter 2: 22-25)
We are not called to bear our own bodies on the Cross, we are called to commit ourselves to Him who judges righteously, for in Christ we have been made the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 21).
How did Jesus live on the earth, anyway? By the power of the Holy Spirit!:
"Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. " (Matthew 4: 1)
and
"Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." (John 5: 19)
It's a life of dependence, which we receive through the Holy Spirit:
"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
"But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law." (Galatians 5: 16-18)
We do not need twelves steps -- let us step into the life that God so freely gives us through His Son, and by His Spirit we are guided into the steps and the works that He wants us to walk in (Ephesians 2: 10)!
Whose steps are you following? Pick one!
a) Wilson and Smith
b) Baker and Warren
c) Jesus: To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in HIS STEPS. 1Pe 2:21
Everyone has a choice. Now is a good time to make the right one.
Inevitably, everyone of us in the Body of Christ cannot help but go further by resting in the Finished Work of our savior Jesus Christ.
Indeed, we are called to follow in His steps:
"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:" (1 Peter 2: 21)
Then Peter explains what that means:
"Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
"Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
"For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." (1 Peter 2: 22-25)
We are not called to bear our own bodies on the Cross, we are called to commit ourselves to Him who judges righteously, for in Christ we have been made the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 21).
How did Jesus live on the earth, anyway? By the power of the Holy Spirit!:
"Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. " (Matthew 4: 1)
and
"Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." (John 5: 19)
It's a life of dependence, which we receive through the Holy Spirit:
"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
"But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law." (Galatians 5: 16-18)
We do not need twelves steps -- let us step into the life that God so freely gives us through His Son, and by His Spirit we are guided into the steps and the works that He wants us to walk in (Ephesians 2: 10)!
At Peace, Wherever You Go
When I was attending meetings many years ago, I really appreciated what one woman had shared in a meeting.
"When I come to a meeting," she shared. "I fell safe. It's as if when I walk into this room, I know that for the next hour and a half, I am OK."
That was a sentiment I could agree with. Many times, if I went to a meeting, I felt as if the world and all of its problems would melt away, or at least they were put aside for the moment.
Since then, I have learned that I have peace with God the Father:
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:" (Romans 5: 1)
I have since learned that Christ lives in me:
"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" (Colossians 1: 27)
Regardless of how I feel or what I think, Paul wants every believer to receive this truth by faith:
"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love," (Ephesians 3: 17)
In fact, Christ Himself is our peace!
"For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;" (Ephesians 2: 14)
Christ is our peace, He lives in us, and God Himself has sworn that He will never leave us nor forsake us! (Hebrews 13: 5)
So, the peace that that lady claimed to feel in the meeting, that is a peace that a believer can receive and rest in, no matter where we are!
All the more, the Holy Spirit who lives in us, who sheds abroad the love of God in our hearts, also bears forth the fruit of peace in our lives:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace. . ." (Galatians 5: 22)
We have peace with God the Father through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. By
His Holy Spirit dwelling in us, we receive the gift of His peace all the more!
And this peace is the surest of internal guidance systems, one which presides in us, indicating to us the wisdom or the folly of any course of action that we wish to take:
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." (Colossians 3: 15, NIV)
We can be at peace wherever we are, no matter what the circumstances! Peace is not just in an AA meeting, not just in a church service, but you can rest at ease in the Peace of God anywhere!
"When I come to a meeting," she shared. "I fell safe. It's as if when I walk into this room, I know that for the next hour and a half, I am OK."
That was a sentiment I could agree with. Many times, if I went to a meeting, I felt as if the world and all of its problems would melt away, or at least they were put aside for the moment.
Since then, I have learned that I have peace with God the Father:
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:" (Romans 5: 1)
I have since learned that Christ lives in me:
"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" (Colossians 1: 27)
Regardless of how I feel or what I think, Paul wants every believer to receive this truth by faith:
"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love," (Ephesians 3: 17)
In fact, Christ Himself is our peace!
"For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;" (Ephesians 2: 14)
Christ is our peace, He lives in us, and God Himself has sworn that He will never leave us nor forsake us! (Hebrews 13: 5)
So, the peace that that lady claimed to feel in the meeting, that is a peace that a believer can receive and rest in, no matter where we are!
All the more, the Holy Spirit who lives in us, who sheds abroad the love of God in our hearts, also bears forth the fruit of peace in our lives:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace. . ." (Galatians 5: 22)
We have peace with God the Father through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. By
His Holy Spirit dwelling in us, we receive the gift of His peace all the more!
And this peace is the surest of internal guidance systems, one which presides in us, indicating to us the wisdom or the folly of any course of action that we wish to take:
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." (Colossians 3: 15, NIV)
We can be at peace wherever we are, no matter what the circumstances! Peace is not just in an AA meeting, not just in a church service, but you can rest at ease in the Peace of God anywhere!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
God: Greater than Our Understanding
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him.
In the Bible, God is presented as One who is far more than our understanding can every fathom, imagine, or allow:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55: 9-10)
In fact, God took a stern and serious tone with one believer who presume to question God and glory in his limited integrity:
"Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
"Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
"Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding." (Job 38: 1-4)
The above four samples is just an inkling of the "harangue" that God released upon His servant Job.
Yet God reveals Himself in the person of Jesus Christ, His blessed Son:
"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2 Corinthians 4: 4)
But Paul the apostle writes far more about our blessed Savior, a God who is far beyond our understanding:
"Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
"And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." (Colossians 1: 15-17)
This revelation of Jesus Christ must be accepted by faith, just like our salvation (Ephesians 2: 4-8)
And not only does God manifested in our lives exceed our understanding, but what He wants to do in our lives also exceeds our capacities:
"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
"Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Ephesians 3: 20-21)
AA, like many believers in the Body of Christ, have too small a conception of God -- and it will take an eternity and a day to take in even a fraction of a part of God and His love for us, manifested at the Cross forevermore!
In the Bible, God is presented as One who is far more than our understanding can every fathom, imagine, or allow:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55: 9-10)
In fact, God took a stern and serious tone with one believer who presume to question God and glory in his limited integrity:
"Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
"Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
"Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding." (Job 38: 1-4)
The above four samples is just an inkling of the "harangue" that God released upon His servant Job.
Yet God reveals Himself in the person of Jesus Christ, His blessed Son:
"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2 Corinthians 4: 4)
But Paul the apostle writes far more about our blessed Savior, a God who is far beyond our understanding:
"Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
"And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." (Colossians 1: 15-17)
This revelation of Jesus Christ must be accepted by faith, just like our salvation (Ephesians 2: 4-8)
And not only does God manifested in our lives exceed our understanding, but what He wants to do in our lives also exceeds our capacities:
"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
"Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." (Ephesians 3: 20-21)
AA, like many believers in the Body of Christ, have too small a conception of God -- and it will take an eternity and a day to take in even a fraction of a part of God and His love for us, manifested at the Cross forevermore!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Step Twelves -- "Related" Scriptures
"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are
spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be
tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of
Christ." (Galatians 6:1-2)
This scripture means absolutely nothing with a clear and unshakeable standing on the Finished Work of Jesus Christ.
To fulfill "the law of Christ" is to love one another, just as He loved us:
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." (John 13: 34)
Many people in the Body of Christ do not know the love of God at all. Yet we cannot love unless we know how much he first loved us (1 John 4: 19)
Too many people have a piece-meal understanding of God's love. They think that their sins are forgiven until they sin again, then they must restore fellowship with God through some set of rituals. They believe that God has forgiven them for the past, but they are on their own for the rest of their walk on earth. They believe that Jesus has died for them, yet believers still continue to esteem their work, their families, and other sources of stress and fear as greater still.
Yet the Bible is very clear:
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8: 31-32)
Paul also puts to death once and for all the folly of following the 12 Steps:
12And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Timothy 1: 12-17)
Jesus put Paul into the ministry, not the other way around.
He lavishly praises the "exceeding abundant grace' of God which Paul -- as well as you and I -- receive through Jesus Christ.
Jesus came to save sinners, not to die for us but then tell us that we have to work a few more steps to enjoy His life in us.
Paul cannot manifestly glory Jesus enough. How do you see Him? Do you see Him as "King eternal, immortal," are you still trying to see the "invisible" God with your natural eyes through natural means. Do you see Him as all powerful and wise, or are you still thinking that Jesus "needs" a little help from "Bill W." or "Dr. Bob", among many who claimed to be sober, but in truth whose teachings have done nothing but harm.
This scripture means absolutely nothing with a clear and unshakeable standing on the Finished Work of Jesus Christ.
To fulfill "the law of Christ" is to love one another, just as He loved us:
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." (John 13: 34)
Many people in the Body of Christ do not know the love of God at all. Yet we cannot love unless we know how much he first loved us (1 John 4: 19)
Too many people have a piece-meal understanding of God's love. They think that their sins are forgiven until they sin again, then they must restore fellowship with God through some set of rituals. They believe that God has forgiven them for the past, but they are on their own for the rest of their walk on earth. They believe that Jesus has died for them, yet believers still continue to esteem their work, their families, and other sources of stress and fear as greater still.
Yet the Bible is very clear:
"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8: 31-32)
Paul also puts to death once and for all the folly of following the 12 Steps:
12And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Timothy 1: 12-17)
Jesus put Paul into the ministry, not the other way around.
He lavishly praises the "exceeding abundant grace' of God which Paul -- as well as you and I -- receive through Jesus Christ.
Jesus came to save sinners, not to die for us but then tell us that we have to work a few more steps to enjoy His life in us.
Paul cannot manifestly glory Jesus enough. How do you see Him? Do you see Him as "King eternal, immortal," are you still trying to see the "invisible" God with your natural eyes through natural means. Do you see Him as all powerful and wise, or are you still thinking that Jesus "needs" a little help from "Bill W." or "Dr. Bob", among many who claimed to be sober, but in truth whose teachings have done nothing but harm.
Step Twelve
Having had a spiritual
awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to
alcoholics, and practice these principles in all our affairs.
Can anyone say "weak and beggarly?"
We have received more than a spiritual awakening in Jesus.
We have passed from death to life:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. " (John 3: 16)
and
"We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death" (1 John 3: 14)
Jesus has given us His life, that He may live His life through us!
We do not try to practice principles. We live and let Christ reign in our lives!
The whole program is so man-centered. Paul tells us what to look at:
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." (Colossians 3: 1-3)
He is closer than a brother (Proverbs 18: 24).
He is our very life (John 14: 6)
Thorough Him we reign in life:
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
"Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." (Romans 5: 17-19)
Our job is to labor to enter the rest of Himself:
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11: 28)
[literally, "I will rest you"]
and
"Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." (Hebrews 4: 11)
Jesus Himself told us that the one work is to believe on Him (John 6: 29)
"But nothing will get done!" we think to ourselves. Scripture says otherwise:
"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Corinthians 15: 10)
and
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2: 12-13)
Because we have received a new heart (Hebrews 8: 10-12), we no longer need to worry that the things that we want will be "outside" the will of God. He gives us desires to do and be and have in this world, and through us He is living in, which he call us to live out by faith (2 Corinthians 5: 7)
Can anyone say "weak and beggarly?"
We have received more than a spiritual awakening in Jesus.
We have passed from death to life:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. " (John 3: 16)
and
"We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death" (1 John 3: 14)
Jesus has given us His life, that He may live His life through us!
We do not try to practice principles. We live and let Christ reign in our lives!
The whole program is so man-centered. Paul tells us what to look at:
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." (Colossians 3: 1-3)
He is closer than a brother (Proverbs 18: 24).
He is our very life (John 14: 6)
Thorough Him we reign in life:
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
"Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." (Romans 5: 17-19)
Our job is to labor to enter the rest of Himself:
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11: 28)
[literally, "I will rest you"]
and
"Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." (Hebrews 4: 11)
Jesus Himself told us that the one work is to believe on Him (John 6: 29)
"But nothing will get done!" we think to ourselves. Scripture says otherwise:
"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Corinthians 15: 10)
and
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2: 12-13)
Because we have received a new heart (Hebrews 8: 10-12), we no longer need to worry that the things that we want will be "outside" the will of God. He gives us desires to do and be and have in this world, and through us He is living in, which he call us to live out by faith (2 Corinthians 5: 7)
Step Eleven -- "Related" Scriptures
"Abide in me, and I in
you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no
more can ye, except ye abide in me.
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15: 4-5)
This is what it's all about! This one step is the most "Scriptural", yet we must meditate on the word of God, not just about of empty ideas, not just about "our" conception of God.
Jesus Word's are Spirit and Life (John 6: 63). As we see Christ in the Scriptures, we receive faith to trust Him to care for us:
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15: 4-5)
This is what it's all about! This one step is the most "Scriptural", yet we must meditate on the word of God, not just about of empty ideas, not just about "our" conception of God.
Jesus Word's are Spirit and Life (John 6: 63). As we see Christ in the Scriptures, we receive faith to trust Him to care for us:
| ||||
Step Eleven
Sought through prayer and
meditation to improve our conscious contact with GOD as we understood Him,
praying only for knowledge of His will, and the power to carry that
out.
We do not pray in order to know God, as if He is far away:
"For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things." (Matthew 6: 32)
So we pray in order to know what we already have in Christ!:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" (Ephesians 1: 3)
and
"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
"The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints," (Ephesians 1: 17-18)
and then
"That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
"May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
"And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." (Ephesians 3: 16-19)
This is the meditation that we are called to: whatever helps us to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord (2 Peter 3: 18), that we may know Him more right now in our circumstances, to see Him as one who holds everything together in this life, and that through Him we can expect to receive all things!
We do not pray in order to know God, as if He is far away:
"For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things." (Matthew 6: 32)
So we pray in order to know what we already have in Christ!:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" (Ephesians 1: 3)
and
"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
"The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints," (Ephesians 1: 17-18)
and then
"That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
"May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
"And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." (Ephesians 3: 16-19)
This is the meditation that we are called to: whatever helps us to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord (2 Peter 3: 18), that we may know Him more right now in our circumstances, to see Him as one who holds everything together in this life, and that through Him we can expect to receive all things!
Step Ten -- "Related" Scriptures
"
I beseech you
therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12: 1-2)
"Be transformed" -- so that means that we do not transform ourselves, right? The who does the transforming? The Holy Spirit:
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3: 18)
We can be transformed more specifically as we read the Word of God (John 6: 63) and hearing His Word (Romans 10: 17)
This is not something that we do focusing on our sins, focusing on what we have done, but let us focus on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12: 2), through whom we receive grace in time of need (Hebrews 4: 16).
Not in recounting our misdeeds, but in His one deed, do we rest and release His life in us!
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2: 12-13)
We are called to work out our salvation, not "work it up", and certainly not "maintain it." The second verse makes it crystal clear that we are not doing the "saving" anyway!
"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith GOD has given you." (Romans 12:3)
You know the measure of faith that you have? The same as Christ Jesus:
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2: 20)
Romans 12: 3 does not become manifested in our life by taking our inventory ad nauseum, but rather is played out in our lives by thinking on Him who is seated at the right hand of the Father (Colossians 3: 1-3).
He has the whole word held in His hands, so do you think that any one issue will slip through your fingers beyond your control (Colossians 1: 18), so what are you worried about?
http://www.12step.org/bible/step-10-scriptures.html
This is a terrible translation of this passage:
"Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward."
Yet what are we supposed to be watching for, then? Not taking our inventory, since we have been cleansed and purged from all sin, anyway. Hebrews gives the answer:
"1Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. " (Hebrews 4: 1-2)
and
"Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." (Hebrews 4: 11)
We are to take diligence to say settled in the Finished Work of Jesus, because there are so many things in this life that will tempt us out of that rest, telling us that we must "do" certain things along with living by grace -- the Galatians were caught up in this dissimulation, being told that they had to keep the law of Moses, too. Yet that is not the case. In fact, any effort to keep the law is weak and beggarly (Galatians 4: 9). To be under the law, or any set of rules of regulations, is to be under the curse:
"For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them." (Galatians 3: 10)
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12: 1-2)
"Be transformed" -- so that means that we do not transform ourselves, right? The who does the transforming? The Holy Spirit:
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3: 18)
We can be transformed more specifically as we read the Word of God (John 6: 63) and hearing His Word (Romans 10: 17)
This is not something that we do focusing on our sins, focusing on what we have done, but let us focus on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12: 2), through whom we receive grace in time of need (Hebrews 4: 16).
Not in recounting our misdeeds, but in His one deed, do we rest and release His life in us!
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2: 12-13)
We are called to work out our salvation, not "work it up", and certainly not "maintain it." The second verse makes it crystal clear that we are not doing the "saving" anyway!
"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith GOD has given you." (Romans 12:3)
You know the measure of faith that you have? The same as Christ Jesus:
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2: 20)
Romans 12: 3 does not become manifested in our life by taking our inventory ad nauseum, but rather is played out in our lives by thinking on Him who is seated at the right hand of the Father (Colossians 3: 1-3).
He has the whole word held in His hands, so do you think that any one issue will slip through your fingers beyond your control (Colossians 1: 18), so what are you worried about?
2 John 1:8  | |
| 1:8 | Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. |
12Step.org Comments: | |
| Recovery is hard work. We not only have to strive to live a normal life with all of its normal responsibilities, but we also have to continue to work the steps and be constantly vigilant against the possibility of our addictive behaviors returning to us. Here the apostle John is admonishing Christians to not lose what they have worked for. In terms of recovery, this means for us to not slip back into old addictive behaviors. It means to not lose our freedom, which we have worked so hard and diligently to gain and maintain. In order to do this, it is imperative that we continue to take personal inventory as we go through life. In this way, we can maintain the hope that we will receive a full reward in the Lord. | |
http://www.12step.org/bible/step-10-scriptures.html
This is a terrible translation of this passage:
"Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward."
Yet what are we supposed to be watching for, then? Not taking our inventory, since we have been cleansed and purged from all sin, anyway. Hebrews gives the answer:
"1Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. " (Hebrews 4: 1-2)
and
"Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." (Hebrews 4: 11)
We are to take diligence to say settled in the Finished Work of Jesus, because there are so many things in this life that will tempt us out of that rest, telling us that we must "do" certain things along with living by grace -- the Galatians were caught up in this dissimulation, being told that they had to keep the law of Moses, too. Yet that is not the case. In fact, any effort to keep the law is weak and beggarly (Galatians 4: 9). To be under the law, or any set of rules of regulations, is to be under the curse:
"For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them." (Galatians 3: 10)
Step Ten
Continued to take personal
inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
So now we are called to be sin-conscious? Really?:
"By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
"And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
"From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10: 10-14)
"The high priests of old ministered daily, and they never sat down. But Jesus our High Priest sat down, signalling to the Universe and to all eternity that the work is Finished.
Unfortunately, the crazy "Churchianity" and AA have impressed upon people that they must catch up with their sins, make sure that they do not slip up.
Yet the blood of Jesus keeps cleansing us from righteousness:
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1: 7)
His blood keeps cleansing you! And not only that, but we have not just been purged from sin (Hebrews 1: 2), but also from a conscience of dead works (Hebrews 9: 14)
A "dead work" is anything that we do in order to get something-- this in large part because the works have been done already:
"For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world." (Hebrews 4: 3)
and
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2: 10)
and
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2: 13)
We rest in our full righteous acceptance in Christ, and His grace flows through us!
There is no point in recounting our sins to God, anyway, because He has forgotten all of them:
"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 8: 12)
So now we are called to be sin-conscious? Really?:
"By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
"And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
"From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10: 10-14)
"The high priests of old ministered daily, and they never sat down. But Jesus our High Priest sat down, signalling to the Universe and to all eternity that the work is Finished.
Unfortunately, the crazy "Churchianity" and AA have impressed upon people that they must catch up with their sins, make sure that they do not slip up.
Yet the blood of Jesus keeps cleansing us from righteousness:
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1: 7)
His blood keeps cleansing you! And not only that, but we have not just been purged from sin (Hebrews 1: 2), but also from a conscience of dead works (Hebrews 9: 14)
A "dead work" is anything that we do in order to get something-- this in large part because the works have been done already:
"For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world." (Hebrews 4: 3)
and
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2: 10)
and
"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2: 13)
We rest in our full righteous acceptance in Christ, and His grace flows through us!
There is no point in recounting our sins to God, anyway, because He has forgotten all of them:
"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 8: 12)
Step Nine -- "Related" Scripture
"By mercy and truth
iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
"When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Proverbs 16: 6-7)
Here is what one commentary had to share about this scripture in relation to the 12 Steps:
"When we are making amends, we are "purging iniquity". The NKJV translates this verse "In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity...". In other words, when we live in mercy and truth we are making atonement, we are purging the iniquity from our lives and from the lives of others. This is what making amends is all about - about purging iniquity, purging the poison that came from our addictive behaviors in our own lives, the lives of others and in our relationships. In 16:7 we see a possible consequence from this purging the iniquity and that is that those who were once our enemies can become those who are at peace with us. Our relationships can be restored to those of peace, harmony and trust where there once was strife and suspicion.
(http://www.12step.org/bible/step-8-scriptures.html)
What?!!!
Who is mercy, or rather grace and truth? Jesus!:
"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1: 17)
How are we purged of our sins? By our works? No way!:
"Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;" (Hebrews 1: 3)
Jesus Christ HAS ALREADY PURGED OUR SINS ONCE AND FOR ALL!
Instead of running around trying to get rid of this sense of sin and obligation in our lives, we just rest in the fact that we have also been purged from a guilty conscience:
"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9: 14)
Where do we get this flimsy, wicked idea that we can, that we must do something more in order to break free of our sins, make up for our misdeeds? How many times does God say that He will more than make up for all that we have lost?:
"For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them." (Isaiah 61: 7)
and
"Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;" (Zechariah 9: 12)
Let us not for one minute assume that we are doing anything out of our own effort to get anything done:
"1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)" (Ephesians 2: 1-5)
In fact, because Christ lives in us, His works are now working their way through us:
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2: 10)
We do not have to work up anything, but rather we work out the Life that Christ Jesus is working in (Philippians 2: 12-13)
We live out His Life, and through His prompting, we are led to restore anything that we may have taken or lost! (See the account of Zaccheus in Luke 19 for an extensive example of how salvation leads a man to give of his substance, as oppposed to the other way around.
"When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Proverbs 16: 6-7)
Here is what one commentary had to share about this scripture in relation to the 12 Steps:
"When we are making amends, we are "purging iniquity". The NKJV translates this verse "In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity...". In other words, when we live in mercy and truth we are making atonement, we are purging the iniquity from our lives and from the lives of others. This is what making amends is all about - about purging iniquity, purging the poison that came from our addictive behaviors in our own lives, the lives of others and in our relationships. In 16:7 we see a possible consequence from this purging the iniquity and that is that those who were once our enemies can become those who are at peace with us. Our relationships can be restored to those of peace, harmony and trust where there once was strife and suspicion.
(http://www.12step.org/bible/step-8-scriptures.html)
What?!!!
Who is mercy, or rather grace and truth? Jesus!:
"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1: 17)
How are we purged of our sins? By our works? No way!:
"Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;" (Hebrews 1: 3)
Jesus Christ HAS ALREADY PURGED OUR SINS ONCE AND FOR ALL!
Instead of running around trying to get rid of this sense of sin and obligation in our lives, we just rest in the fact that we have also been purged from a guilty conscience:
"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9: 14)
Where do we get this flimsy, wicked idea that we can, that we must do something more in order to break free of our sins, make up for our misdeeds? How many times does God say that He will more than make up for all that we have lost?:
"For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them." (Isaiah 61: 7)
and
"Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;" (Zechariah 9: 12)
Let us not for one minute assume that we are doing anything out of our own effort to get anything done:
"1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)" (Ephesians 2: 1-5)
In fact, because Christ lives in us, His works are now working their way through us:
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2: 10)
We do not have to work up anything, but rather we work out the Life that Christ Jesus is working in (Philippians 2: 12-13)
We live out His Life, and through His prompting, we are led to restore anything that we may have taken or lost! (See the account of Zaccheus in Luke 19 for an extensive example of how salvation leads a man to give of his substance, as oppposed to the other way around.
Step Nine
Made direct amends to such
people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or
others.
Much of this "making amends" business is getting too much attention.
The grace of God does not work like that. Consider the example of Zaccheus:
"Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19: 1-10)
Jesus showed this tax collector His goodness, which in turn liberated Zaccheus to give half of his goods to the poor and to restore fourfold to anyone whom he had defrauded.
Jesus calls Zaccheus a "son of Abraham", one who has received the grace of God by "faith", for faith is what pleases God (Hebrews 11: 6)
He did not seek to restore to others in order to be made righteous, but because he was made righteous, receiving Jesus "joyfully" into his life!
We need to receive the Life of Christ into us, then we can step out in faith and love to serve Him! Obedience is important, no question about it. Making amends is acceptable, certainly, but we do not make amends and seek peace with others in order to get it, but rather because we have already received it from God the Father through Jesus!:
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." (John 13: 34)
and
"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." (John 15: 2)
This is more than imitation, however, but rather inspiration:
"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
"But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law." (Galatians 5: 16-18)
I must add that this step is arrogant to its core -- where do we get the idea that anything that we have done is so bad, so harmful that we must do something to make it better? Do we really think that other people are so weak, craven, and in bondage that they cannot move on with their lives?
Here is a proverb that more people need to consider in their walk:
"He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends." (Proverbs 17: 9)
Let it go, for Christ Himself has already paid for it!
Much of this "making amends" business is getting too much attention.
The grace of God does not work like that. Consider the example of Zaccheus:
"Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." (Luke 19: 1-10)
Jesus showed this tax collector His goodness, which in turn liberated Zaccheus to give half of his goods to the poor and to restore fourfold to anyone whom he had defrauded.
Jesus calls Zaccheus a "son of Abraham", one who has received the grace of God by "faith", for faith is what pleases God (Hebrews 11: 6)
He did not seek to restore to others in order to be made righteous, but because he was made righteous, receiving Jesus "joyfully" into his life!
We need to receive the Life of Christ into us, then we can step out in faith and love to serve Him! Obedience is important, no question about it. Making amends is acceptable, certainly, but we do not make amends and seek peace with others in order to get it, but rather because we have already received it from God the Father through Jesus!:
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." (John 13: 34)
and
"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." (John 15: 2)
This is more than imitation, however, but rather inspiration:
"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
"But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law." (Galatians 5: 16-18)
I must add that this step is arrogant to its core -- where do we get the idea that anything that we have done is so bad, so harmful that we must do something to make it better? Do we really think that other people are so weak, craven, and in bondage that they cannot move on with their lives?
Here is a proverb that more people need to consider in their walk:
"He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends." (Proverbs 17: 9)
Let it go, for Christ Himself has already paid for it!
Step Eight -- "Related" Scripture
"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar
and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift
there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then
come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23, 24)
Once more time, one more time -- this scripture is taken so widely out of context, and thus a complete failure to rightly divide the Word of God!
In the Sermon on the Mount, when Jesus told his hearers to be reconciled to their brethren before offering a gift, Jesus was bringing the law back to its ultimate and impossible standard (Matthew 5: 21-26). In no way can we expect to be reconciled to every person whom we have harmed, and even then there will still be a conscience of sins when we offer our gifts at the altar (Hebrews 10: 2)
The conscience of sins is something that we have been purged from, as well:
"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
"For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9: 12-14)
"Conscience of sins" basically refers to any sense or feeling within us that we have done something wrong, or that we must still do something more.
Yet many people believe that if we do not hold people accountable with threats of punishment, then they will get nothing done.
Paul did not think that way at all:
"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Corinthians 15: 10)
His grace is flowing through us. We were saved by grace, which we received by faith (Ephesians 2:
4-8).
This grace is what empowers us to live life to the fullest:
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10)
Yet the fear of sin has afflicted us more than the certainty of Christ's life in us leading us by the power of the Holy Spirit!
Another comment from a post using the Scripture to justify using the "12 Steps":
It would seem entirely appropriate, then, and, in the opinion of this commentator, would be pleasing to God if we took this principle of making amends from the book of Leviticus and applied it in our life. In verse 6:7, we are told that after this making of amends in our life that there would be forgiveness. We should not be surprised, then, that in the process of making amends we too find a peace and forgiveness that we had never known before.
(http://www.12step.org/bible/step-8-scriptures.html)
The Old Covenant has passed away:
"In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away." (Hebrews 8: 13)
If we want to please God, we do that by faith:
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11: 6)
Even the Old Testament, the New Covenant of faith was made manifest:
"And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness." (Genesis 15: 6)
Believers today now have the faith of the Son of God (Galatains 2: 20), and we receive this faith by hearing the word of Christ (Romans 10: 17)
If we wish to please God, let us believe on Him (John 6: 29) and let His grace flow in our lives!
Once more time, one more time -- this scripture is taken so widely out of context, and thus a complete failure to rightly divide the Word of God!
In the Sermon on the Mount, when Jesus told his hearers to be reconciled to their brethren before offering a gift, Jesus was bringing the law back to its ultimate and impossible standard (Matthew 5: 21-26). In no way can we expect to be reconciled to every person whom we have harmed, and even then there will still be a conscience of sins when we offer our gifts at the altar (Hebrews 10: 2)
The conscience of sins is something that we have been purged from, as well:
"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
"For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9: 12-14)
"Conscience of sins" basically refers to any sense or feeling within us that we have done something wrong, or that we must still do something more.
Yet many people believe that if we do not hold people accountable with threats of punishment, then they will get nothing done.
Paul did not think that way at all:
"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Corinthians 15: 10)
His grace is flowing through us. We were saved by grace, which we received by faith (Ephesians 2:
4-8).
This grace is what empowers us to live life to the fullest:
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10)
Yet the fear of sin has afflicted us more than the certainty of Christ's life in us leading us by the power of the Holy Spirit!
Another comment from a post using the Scripture to justify using the "12 Steps":
It would seem entirely appropriate, then, and, in the opinion of this commentator, would be pleasing to God if we took this principle of making amends from the book of Leviticus and applied it in our life. In verse 6:7, we are told that after this making of amends in our life that there would be forgiveness. We should not be surprised, then, that in the process of making amends we too find a peace and forgiveness that we had never known before.
(http://www.12step.org/bible/step-8-scriptures.html)
The Old Covenant has passed away:
"In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away." (Hebrews 8: 13)
If we want to please God, we do that by faith:
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11: 6)
Even the Old Testament, the New Covenant of faith was made manifest:
"And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness." (Genesis 15: 6)
Believers today now have the faith of the Son of God (Galatains 2: 20), and we receive this faith by hearing the word of Christ (Romans 10: 17)
If we wish to please God, let us believe on Him (John 6: 29) and let His grace flow in our lives!
Step Eight
Made a list of all persons we had
harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
When does the listing end? Let us not forget that in many instances, when a man was convicted of sin, he pointed out first and foremost that he sinned against God:
"There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (Genesis 39: 9)
Really, all of our wrongdoing is wrapped up in our dead flesh, and even our "good works" become a dead work if we are doing them in order to earn God's favor:
"For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them." (Romans 10: 5)
Yet Paul already established that one can be justified by doing the law:
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Romans 3: 20)
When it comes to making amends, or rather reconciling with other people, Jesus did not make much of it, really. Consider the case of the man who was dying on the Cross:
"And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
"But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
"And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
"And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
"And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." (Luke 23: 39-43)
Jesus did not tell this man to take his inventory or to come up with a list of people whom he had harmed, although he readily admitted while hanging on his own Cross that he deserved his punishment. Just the Word of God alone was all that he needed to pass from death to life!
When does the listing end? Let us not forget that in many instances, when a man was convicted of sin, he pointed out first and foremost that he sinned against God:
"There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (Genesis 39: 9)
Really, all of our wrongdoing is wrapped up in our dead flesh, and even our "good works" become a dead work if we are doing them in order to earn God's favor:
"For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them." (Romans 10: 5)
Yet Paul already established that one can be justified by doing the law:
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Romans 3: 20)
When it comes to making amends, or rather reconciling with other people, Jesus did not make much of it, really. Consider the case of the man who was dying on the Cross:
"And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
"But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
"And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
"And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
"And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." (Luke 23: 39-43)
Jesus did not tell this man to take his inventory or to come up with a list of people whom he had harmed, although he readily admitted while hanging on his own Cross that he deserved his punishment. Just the Word of God alone was all that he needed to pass from death to life!
Scriptural Evaluation of the Seventh Step Prayer
The Seventh Step Prayer
from page 76 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous
My Creator,
I am now willing that you should have all of me,
good and bad.
I pray that you now remove from me
every single defect of character which stands in the way
of my usefulness to you and my fellows.
Grant me strength, as I go out from here,
to do your bidding.
Amen
I am now willing that you should have all of me,
good and bad.
I pray that you now remove from me
every single defect of character which stands in the way
of my usefulness to you and my fellows.
Grant me strength, as I go out from here,
to do your bidding.
Amen
The little coda of "Amen" does not infuse this empty prayer with any more truth of holiness.
In fact, this second prayer dramatically points out the mixed message, the mixed conceptions, of God presented by the Big Book.
This prayer refers to God as "you", whereas in the Third Step prayer, God is referenced with the more antiquated "thee" and "thy".
Did the writers of Alcoholics Anonymous even note this odd difference? Are we supposed to think of God as some Shakespearean patriarch, a loving father, a grandmaster, a principal? The image of God is distorted and confused. "God as we understand Him" has already fallen apart for the writers, as evinced by the strange change of address.
The Bible reveals God as Creator, but Jesus specifically came to reveal God as Father! This intimate relationship resists easy comprehension for mankind, especially for those who had at best a troubled relationship with their earthly fathers, or never knew their fathers to begin with!
Jesus illustrates who God the Father is!:
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
"For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
"Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
"Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (Matthew 7: 7-11)
Jesus confirms the status of every believer:
"Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." (John 20: 17)
The Fatherhood of God, a lavishly loving and never-ending supply, defies man's limited understanding, a love which we receive by revelation, not through repetition of vacuous prayers.
I pray that you now remove from me
every single defect of character which stands in the way
of my usefulness to you and my fellows.
every single defect of character which stands in the way
of my usefulness to you and my fellows.
Before God, we have now been perfected in Christ:
"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10: 14)
and
"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1: 6)
We are even loved as much as Jesus Christ Himself1:
"I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." (John 17: 23)
God's perfect love towards us establishes our identity before Him:
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
God is more interested in working through us than our striving to work for him!
We are not called to figure out a specific intinerary of obedience, but rather to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord! (2 Peter 3: 18)
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