Yes, some people are delivered immediately from some thing, like cigarettes, as example, and never look back at that one ball and chain. Others must go through a process of prayer, day by slow day, leaning on God’s mercy and compassion, and strength. And then get deliverance from that one ball and chain. Until another arises — again, it is the process of sanctification, creating that new son or daughter until the end.

1. We must retain the Lutheran principle of simul iustus et peccator; we are saved but remain sinful. Failure to grasp this point will only lead to burn out and disappointment.

2. We must understand how addiction works, and that very often addiction remains a “thorn in the side” of a believer. Struggling with addiction for one’s entire life does not mean that one has not come to saving faith.

3. Finally, and I part ways with my Baptist friends and family here, but one of the pitfalls of teetotalism is that we blur the lines between addiction and abuse, and create distinctions in regards to holy living where they ought not exist. Let us be cautious here, and show grace.

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He said “..and lead us not into temptation…” He didn’t promise that we would not be tempted.

The apostle Paul in Romans 7 paints a picture of himself and all Christians in their battle with sin. And sin is spoken of as a noun in this passage. That sin, dwelling in our members rather than in the inner man, our soul, which Christ dwells in and it dwelling in Christ.

Set your mind on the things above. Galatians 5:16 says to “walk in the spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh”. As a saint who struggles against his own flesh, I can tell you that the batttle is hard. But if you choose with your will, not your emotions, to focus on Christ rather than the sin that crouches at your door to have you, you will not give into temptation. Giving into sin is an operation of the will choosing to set the mind on the temptation and choosing to take the focus off of Christ.

You should also realize that these hurting people you speak of are redeemed in Christ. That doesn’t change. Walking in the truth of that means knowing who you are in Christ - ” For I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives through me” and walking that our despite how you feel, despite your temptations and claiming the salvation paid for in the shedding of blood and the brokeness of Christ’s body when you fail. Getting back up and setting your mind on the truth of who you are in Christ and continuing that walk. For as we have received Christ, so shall we continue to walk in Him. How have we received Christ?

By Faith!

The comfort is in knowing who we are and whose we are!

Most Christians I counsel are wondering why God has failed them in keeping them from the temptation. They continue, not just to be tempted, but to succumb to the temptation. And then they deal with the guilt, fear and doubt that result. The beauty of the gospel is so much more than immediate release from all sin, AND so much more than perpetual protection against temptation. It is the forgiving longsuffering lovingkindness of God that continues to say to the sinner, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

I think we’d like to rewrite Jesus’ parable to be about the Pharisee and the ex-publican rather than the current one who continues to fall on the grace of God for justification.

To me the new preachers see themselves a little above the flock and instead of understand the priesthood of believers. Let the people of God pray. It sounds like the new preachers are afraid to hear someone who is not perfect well we are all not perfect.

I pray for revival. God Bless.

He has been sober since I met him and he became a believer earlier this summer. It was very difficult for him when he lost his job this past week.

The alcoholism that he thought has defined him for the past 3 years, damaging his life and career, his marriage, and his self worth, reemerged this past week. He was unemployed for 14 months and then finally got a job. He was reassured his DUI wasn’t an issue for him so he started work. Less than two weeks later they told him they made a mistake in hiring and he was let go.

Couple that with house sitting for a friend, whose house had a full bar, the same day he lost his job and it was a perfect storm.

He called me after 3 days of straight drinking. The Lord Jesus, I am sure, gave him enough clarity of mind to fill me in on the details as we went to the hospital. That was Friday.

He has been a member of our house church for the past 6 months and last night (shakes, withdrawals and all) he shared with the group his struggle in its fullness. He hid nothing and humbly asked for prayer.

What Christ did in the following half an hour through prayer and petition of His saints, I will always remember. The Holy Spirit was at work and is at work in this group and in my friend’s life.

I share all this to simply tell you that Friday was a very tough ’sobering’ day for me. But not as tough as it was for my friend. Or on that Day at Golgotha.

As for my friend? He hasn’t been delivered from a desire to drink. But his testimony of rejection to sin and the bottle has been and will continue to be one that glorifies Christ just as much as the one who was completely delivered from alcohol.

Thanks for this.