AA = Will Worship

"20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21(Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23Which 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)

AA promotes nothing but will-worship.

No matter how times the "Big Book" tells people that this is a program to get rid of self, the meetings were filled with people who talked about the number of years that they had stayed sober.

I still remember one older lady who had gone for a ride in a fancy limosine, when she was offered a drink.

"I was this close to drinking again. It's easier than one might think."

Whereupon she shared at length how she had avoided that drink.

She had avoided it.

No matter how many times the writer in the book mentions "the Spirit" and the ease with which people stay sober, one thing that had struck me many times in meetings is that most members were living life as if it were an endurance contest.

The Twelve Steps does not give a man life, nor does the program offer redemption unhindered. The need for full absolution cannot be found in working steps.

In fact, it cannot be a work at all.

Mankind is born dead in his trespasses. He needs something more, something which he cannot be, have, or make on his own.

"Not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh."

Our flesh must be crucified, and we receive this death through the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ:

"20I 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. 21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Galatians 2: 20-21)

For the believer, your flesh has already been crucified! Working the Steps only brings a man in Christ back to living under an Old Covenant. Will-worship is actually a form of death, an unnecessary and unprofitable practice which will cause man to fall victim to his flesh, trying to fix something that is dead and beyond repair.

Forget will-worship; Worship the Lord Jesus Christ, who has given you all things: Himself (Romans 8: 31-32)