Grace and Righteousness -- Not Twelve Steps

Lack of power, that was our dilemma. We had to find a power by which we could live, and it had to be a Power greater than ourselves. Obviously. But where and how were we to find this Power?

Well, that's exactly what this book is about. Its main object is to enable you to find a Power greater than yourself which will solve your problem. That means we have written a book which we believe to be spiritual as well as moral. And it means, of course, that we are going to talk about God. Here difficulty arises with agnostics. Many times we talk to a new man and watch his hope rise as we discuss his alcoholic problems and explain our fellowship. But his face falls when we speak of spiritual matters, especially when we mention God, for we have re-opened a subject which our man thought he had neatly evaded or entirely ignored. (AA, pg 45)

 

Power is what it's all about, according to AA.

 

Instead of asking for strength or power, Paul prayed directly for God to remove the "messenger of Satan" which was troubling him.

"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)

Jesus did not give Paul power, but instead reminded him of the grace which he and all believers receive in Him:

"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1: 17)

This grace engages us to face all problems, live the over-coming life:

"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)


Jesus declared that His Strength is  made perfect in our weakness.

This truth contradicts in full the program of Alcoholics Anonymous.

We do not need strength. We need Jesus:

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4: 13)

He is our strength, among many other things. In nothing else, in no one else will we find the strength that we need:

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4: 16)

How do we receive this boldness? Through God's love, which transforms us into children of God:

"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)

We do not become children of God by following Twelve Steps, for God will have not flesh glory in His presence (1 Corinthians 1: 29). Only God's love can do that:

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not." (1 John 3: 1)

This love is not something that we earn, but something that has been given to us:

"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

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4: 10)

He took the Steps, all the way to the Cross. The God the  Father took the steps of having Jesus sit at His right hand in glory and honor. You, Beloved, are seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2: 6)

In effect, Christ has taken all the steps for you to 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."  (Romans 5: 17)

Receive His grace and righteousness today, and every step will be filled with His Spirit-filled life.