Ezra - He Would Not Compromise

One thing that truly will signal the death that is coming down the track is compromise when it comes to recovery.
As you work the steps, you come face to the face with the reality of "I Can't"......"God Can"....."I Will Let Him."
There is no room for compromise with our old lifestyle.
Trying to embrace the old with the new produces conflict within.
We try to balance the two lifestyles in our mind. Excusing the danger of one with the over protection of the other.

The Old Testament writer, Ezra, knew of the danger of compromise. He wrote about it in the book that bears his name.
Ezra 9:10-11 we find Ezra praying to God over the condition of the people who joined him to rebuild the Temple. "And now, our God, after all this what can we say for ourselves? For we have thrown you commands to the wind, the commands you gave us through your servants the prophets. They told us, ' The land you're taking over is a polluted land, polluted with the obscene vulgarities of the people who live there. They've filled it with the moral rot from one end to the other. Whatever you do, don't give your daughters in marriage to their sons nor marry your sons to their daughters."

The very thing Ezra was concerned with had happened.
The sons and daughters of Israel had inter-married with the people of the land. They had rejected the commands of God to embrace the gods of the people that occupied the country surrounding the Temple at Jerusalem.
As we move into the new "LIFE" of recovery, we will be tempted to sacrifice parts of our recovery to embrace the old lifestyle and behavior or addiction. It may begin with the playing of some songs that we use to listen to when we were using. How innocent! It's only music, it really doesn't affect me. Really? Do you not know that we associate memories with music. Powerful memories that stir our flesh and create longing's inside. Why play with such things. Why compromise the incredible gift of sobriety that God has given you this morning.

Find the joy no compromise this morning.
Let the grace of God wash over you through the finished work of Jesus on the cross.
You know, when Jesus cried out from the cross, 'IT IS FINISHED!" He meant that in so many different ways, we can't count them all.
The power of sin was broken from man kind.
The penalty of sin was eliminated from man kind.
The presence of sin was dealt with for all man kind.
This new life free from sin was given as a gift to all who would receive.

Romans 5:1-2
By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us---set us right with him, make us fit for him---we have it all together with God because of our Lord Jesus. And that's not all; We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand----out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.

Drive your tent pegs down deep and open the door to your tent and enjoy the spacious bounty of life that has been poured out on you this day. Do not let compromise with the devil/ world system, rob you of the promises that God has for you today.
No matter what anyone says.....
That's good stuff.

God on you.....
mb