Many Fail, For all Have Sinned

Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. There are such unfortunates. They are not at fault; they seem to have been born that way. They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty. Their chances are less than average. There are those, too, who suffer from grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover if they have the capacity to be honest. (AA, pg. 58)

I have sat in many "Celebrate Recovery" Meetings, and I testify that many people fail.

One man opined that he had rigorously worked these steps, going everything in his life, then he went back out and drank again.

We are not saved by working steps, but by grace through faith:

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2: 4-6)

No one can measure up to God's standard on his own:

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3: 23)

If we attempt through rule-keeping to live quality lives, we will bring forth the very death we are trying to avoid:

"The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law." (1 Corinthians 15: 56)

How do get victory, then?:

"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. " (1 Corinthians 15: 57)