While 12-step programs help people with false beliefs to cope, Christ delivers, heals, and saves. How can you have a Lord’s prayer without a Lord?
1 John 2:23 “No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.”
John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
God has the power to crush lies and false beliefs, the power to change hearts, and the power to transform souls and replace them with identities grounded in truth and love.
Through Jesus we are forgiven, reconciled to the Father, and given the Holy Spirit who empowers us to walk with a new identity in Christ.
In twenty-four years, in and out of 12-step, I was frequently able to surrender my addiction, but nobody told me I had to surrender my greed, lust, and pride to be set free. But God, the Father drew me to Jesus and shattered the chains of my flesh. Hallelujah.
Brothers and sisters in addiction, I urge you to seek the LORD your God. He is the perfect Lover of your soul–He guides, protects and provides. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.
Psalm 23
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.”
Father, ignite a fire in me to share the gospel with brothers who are suffering. Give me a spirit of boldness to proclaim your love, truth, and salvation. Quicken your Spirit in me and place your words on my lips to remove scales from the eyes of the blind, that hearts would be healed and lives restored. In Jesus’ name, amen.
