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)