Self is the Source of Pain -- AA Makes it Worse

There is indeed some truth to the point that self is the biggest problem in our lives.

Yet to inform people that they are their biggest problem does very little to solve the real problem:

Sin.

We are dead in our trespasses, not just bad.

We need life, and that more abundantly, and to the degree that we seek life in our own efforts, we find ourselves merely reduplicating death, emptiness and frustration.

Ourselves, our thoughts and feelings, the notion that life revolves around us, or that life depends on us, and what we do -- this focus does indeed create great pain.

Thank God for the Gospel. Thank you Jesus for granting us life and that more abundantly.

This life is not found in ourselves, and certainly not in any thing that we do.

This life is found in a complete deliverance out of our old man Adam and into the new man: Jesus!

Anything that brings the focus back to ourselves, will bind us once again to ourselves.

Ultimately, that is exactly what AA does to every person who joins the program.

No matter how many times the steps, the book, or the people in the meetings tell us that we need a power greater than ourselves, ultimately the power falls right back onto ourselves.

We choose the conception of God.

We work the program.

We have to takes steps.

We have to reach out to other people.

The whole scam is still rooted in self, focused on self, and grants no deliverance from self.

Self is the source of pain -- but why? It's not enough for us to say "I am the problem".

How do I get rid of myself? By death.

Yet instead of focusing on getting this termination through our efforts, we find a source of greater release through Jesus!

"Now if we are dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:" (Romans 6: 8)

and also

"Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." (Romans 7: 4)

and then

"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again." (2 Corinthians 5: 14-15)

and furthermore:

"Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Colossians 2: 20)

Then Paul writes:

"1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3: 1-4)

Through Jesus' death on the Cross, we are released from our old, dead selves; and through Jesus; resurrection, we are granted new and everlasting life in Him.