Daily Word
Prepared By: Suzy Naber
10/01/2007
In this last part I want to try to answer the question "what if one has already experienced the consequences of alcohol abuse and is captive to an addictive habit that he can't seem to shake free from?"
The answer is of course, a life of recovery is possible. The only “Higher Power” that can truly set free, and keep you free is the Power of God through the Blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only way that an addict can be forever free. Sin must be dealt with first through the Blood of Jesus Christ; then and only then can an addict be set free. The New Testament church was filled with former drunks and druggies, former adulterers and thieves, former prisoners and liars, former gossips and haters, former racists and religious hypocrites, who had all been set free. Because Jesus paid the price for our freedom, he can transform the most hopeless addict or alcoholic, and deliver all those who turn to Him; "He came to set the captives free".
God will not set us free if we do not want to be free. The problem of alcoholism will not go away until we stand up against it, oppose it and stop it from destroying us. God will only help us if we ask Him and choose to obey Him. Romans 6:16-18 "Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey - whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have slaves to righteousness." When we choose to obey God and learn to trust Him and have faith in His deliverance, then He will set us free; “Choose freedom rather than slavery”. Paul writes, "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).
Jesus said in John 8:32, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” If we could have faith in the accomplished work on the cross, the shed blood and the resurrection power of our Lord Jesus Christ, then and only then, we could be set free.
In case we are around those people, we have to choose to be sensitive to those around us. We should care enough to refrain from drinking when they are around us. We should be careful not "cause anyone to stumble" (I Corinthians 10:32) and avoid our brother to fall; "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall." (Romans 14:19-21)
In other words, if we are in the presence of unprotected people with weak conscience, it is wise and advisable not to drink any alcohol in order not to cause them to stumble. It is certainly not an act of hypocrisy but of tolerance and consideration and a protection from any critics. We will also primarily help them not to drink, especially since alcohol is a destructive and evil force in our society that could lead to drunkenness and addiction.
We must maintain a life of purity that separates us from the wickedness around us. Amen.
Scripture to read: Romans 14
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help me be a light to those around me and not to cause anyone to stumble. Help me maintain a life of purity and “be a good example” to others. Amen.
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