The Twelves Steps: Discouraging --- Christ, Encouraging

"24O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25I 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: 24-26)

Many of us exclaimed, "What an order! I can't go through with it." Do not be discouraged. No one among us has been able to maintain anything like perfect adherence to these principles. We are not saints. The point is, that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines. The principles we have set down are guides to progress. We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection. (AA, pg 60)

Spiritual progress? Either you have the Spirit of God, or you do not.

Paul was pretty clear about this:

"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)

"All spiritual blessings" -- nothing could be clearer. In the second chapter, Paul then relates how God has seated us above the heavenlies in Christ (Ephesians 2: 6)

This work is a done deal, as even Christ Jesus Himself our High Priest sat down (Hebrews 1: 3), sending the message throughout the universe and for all time (John 19: 30)

We do not have to practice "perfect adherence" to principles, since Christ Jesus has perfected us once for all (Hebrews 10: 14)

And of course, how can any believer read through this or any other passage without throwing the book away? We are now saints in Christ:

"To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 1: 7)

As saints, we have grace and peace. This graec is unmerited favor for all time. This peace is the full and unending possession of every resource.

We cannot be justified by the rules of regulations of man:

"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." (Colossians 2: 8)

and

"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." (Galatians 5: 4)

Imagine how hard the members of the Body of Christ will have it, if they insist on dismissing the Life who lives in them (Colossians 1: 27) and try to live the Christian life on their own.

The works of the flesh is the result, with all the sin and shame that comes with us.

With the Twelve Steps, therefore, or any other system of merit, man will never progress, let along be perfect, but will mire in the same motions of sin and death which brought Paul to cry out "who will save me?"

Jesus Christ is more than Lord, He is Savior to all who receive Him. The law discourages us, while God's grace not only encourages us, but en-courages us by granting us a new heart, filled with His law, giving us power to know Him, and letting Him be our God, our everything. (Hebrews 8: 10-12)