The words of Matthew 18:11 are pretty clear and concise. There isn't much wiggle room as far at the intent. The mandate of Christ to this world is very simple. He has come to take back everything that was lost at the fall of humanity in the garden when the serpent deceived the woman.
Coupled with this "taking back" or saving, you also have the words of I John 3:8 which reads "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." Part of this salvation process, this taking back, that Jesus came for (and is currently carrying out) is the destruction of the evidence of sin in the lives of people.
When you are saved....
When you surrender will and life over to the care of Christ, He not only takes your life away from the rule of Satan, He also destroys the work and evidence of Satan. What greater work in the life of a human being and true evidence of the devil, is addiction.
I'm not going to debate the various views and opinions of what addiction is and isn't.
It all stems from a broken relationship humanity has with Christ. It is a heart that doesn't realize it's true purpose and call. Because it doesn't realize this, it searches for meaning and comfort in the things of this world. Almost like an itch that can't be scratched. We have this need to escape. Escape the choices we have made which have compounded to the point that we just can't deal with them. Throw on a heaping of guilt and shame, and you've got yourself a dangerous combination.
No matter what the damage is that we brought into our lives.....
Jesus has come to save what was lost.
No matter what the destruction is that we have created in ourselves and around us.....
Jesus has come to save what was lost.
No matter what how deep the hole is that we have dug for ourselves.....
Jesus has come to save what was lost.
That is the Jesus I know.
As Larry Norman sang, years ago....
"What don't you look into Jesus...He's got the answers".
Some things just don't ever change.
Jesus is one of them.
Realize that if you are struggling today. He is only a prayer away. I know..I know..it sounds crazy and like something out of a sci-fi movie...but Jesus is there waiting to respond to your prayer this morning.
He loves you more than you will ever know or understand.
And He has the power and the ability to lift you out of your addiction...if you are ready to change.
What do you say?
God on you....
mb
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