| Free At Last; Free At Last, Part 7: Freedom from Addiction |
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| Written by David Lawrence |
| Sunday, November 01 2009 00:00 |
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Addiction is the bane of our society today. People are addicted to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, gambling, spending, sex, food, pleasure, gossip, and on and on. Addiction occurs when a practice controls us, rather than our controlling it. It is a habit that takes possession of us. Jesus said we cannot serve two masters, and so the person suffering from addiction is not truly serving God but his habit. Society tries to deal with addictions by medication, therapy sessions, books, courses, meditation, and an endless list of remedies. I do not fault them, because sometimes they are very helpful and even needful; however, the ultimate release comes from Christ. When Jesus promised that he would make us free indeed (John 8:36), we can interpret his words to mean multi-faceted freedom applicable in every area of life. I have often cited the example of young people whom I have known as students and continued to have as friends, who have told me that they were able to break their addiction from substance abuse only through awareness of God’s grace. The grace of God in Christ is powerful! My friend, whose example has provided the basis for these analogous devotionals, told me that as a result of God’s bringing him to repentance, the doctrines of God’s grace were much clearer to him. And, of course, he could now perceive and come to terms with his own addiction which resulted in his incarceration. It is the light of truth that enables us to see ourselves as we are, and it is the light of truth that illuminates the glorious love of God in our hearts (2 Cor. 4:6). When we understand, perhaps never fully, but at least more completely, the greatness of this love, we are empowered to deal with our addictions. I had one person put it this way: “How could I spit in the face of a God who loves me like this?” Christ will make us free indeed. But in order to claim that freedom, we must truly understand the nature of grace, the extent of the atonement, the personal nature of salvation, and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. That means the preaching of the doctrines of grace becomes a powerful instrument for changing lives! |
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