Addiction Or Grace (3)
Wednesday January 25, 2017
God desires to honour us and fill us with His Spirit. He offers us a relationship of love that is deeply satisfying and will bring joy and peace into our lives. However, through our own self-will, we may choose different influences which will sooner or later lead us down the path to relapse. As far down as we may fall into our self-directed abyss, God, in His grace and love will continue to pursue us. God invites us to come close to Him and promises that when we do, He will come close to us.
Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? … But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires ... So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. … Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. (James 4:4-11 NLT)
A life focused on simply getting what we think we need will result in a lonely, destructive, chaotic lifestyle. Drawing close to God is the first step on the road to recovery. Will we allow ourselves to be loved by God, forgiven and washed clean from our sins, lifted out of the pit of a destructive lifestyle, and honoured by the living God? Instead of engaging in harmful addictive behaviour, will we turn to God and let Him help us stand firm in our resolve to follow Him?
Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness, prisoners suffering in iron chains, because they rebelled against God’s commands and despised the plans of the Most High…..Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains. (Psalm 107:10-11, 13-14 NIV) Why do we deliberately put ourselves through unnecessary suffering? God is inviting us to a meaningful, joyful, and purposeful life. Are we willing to accept the invitation?
Prayer – Lord, I acknowledge that my spirit is willing but my flesh is weak, please empower me to make healthy choices. Come into my life, Lord Jesus, wash me clean from my sin and fill me with new life. AMEN
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