Anyone who has lived in addiction knows that our entire life’s focus was on our next drink or fix. We were slaves, bound to obey our cravings. When we did whatever we wanted whenever we wanted life was painful, even though we were getting our own way. The thing that we once thought was pleasurable enslaved us. Darkness and chaos that we never could have imagined became our reality.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1 NIV)
In our despair, we admitted that we were powerless over our lives and began to look around for freedom from the ugliness of daily life. In our quest for freedom, we came to believe that there must be a power greater that ourselves that could restore us to sanity. Jesus said He was sent to earth for that very reason.
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:18-19 NIV)
When a person is free they can come and go as they please. A slave can’t. A slave must be obedient to his master, otherwise he lives in fear of what that master might do to him. In the same way, persons living in addiction are bound by the desperation of what their body is craving. Thankfully, Jesus came to speak God’s favour on everyone who believes in Him and to set slaves free.
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36 NIV)
We have hope and freedom today as we turn from addiction and surrender ourselves, including our cravings, to God. The forgiveness of Jesus breaks every chain that kept us in bondage.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Thank You for coming to free me so I can live in freedom. Help me to stand firm in Your truth and not allow the bondage to sin make me a slave. AMEN
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