Mark 2:14
...........And He said unto him, "Follow Me."
Mission Statement of Vineyard Recovery Church
........Following in His Steps.
As with any topic in this modern world, when you mention the Twelve Steps you will get proponents and detractors. Those who are all in favor of the steps, and those who claim that following the program does nothing and is merely a shyster movement. I fully understand this notion and behavior. Doesn't mean I agree with it, but I do understand. Usually those who rail against the steps are those who have never truly worked the program.
First off, the steps themselves are merely a guide to bring one into relationship with God.
Steps# 1 - 3 gives you peace with God. Like everyone, you are brought to the realization that you are a sinner. Life has become unmanageable. Step# 1 begins with looking inward for answers to our problem. We find none. We discover that WE are the problem. As a wise man once told me, "You can't be the problem and the solution." With that in mind, we look elsewhere for an answer to our problem of addiction.
Step # 2 turns the search for a solution to our problem outward. The step reads "We came to believe in a Power greater than ourselves who could restore us to sanity."
First off, the word "Power" is capitalized. In our case, Power refers to Jesus Christ and the saving work He did on the cross through His death and resurrection. Step # 2 is also an exercise in faith. Notice that the step says "Who could restore us"....not "Who would restore us." We are reaching out with our faith to lay hold of this Jesus through a renewed relationship with Him. Our understanding of who Jesus is, is very simplistic in nature. Our focus at this point in time is simply to find an answer to the pain we have inflicted on ourselves and everyone around us.
Step # 3 is actually Step #1 plus Step # 2.....get it.
1 + 2 = 3...
In Step # 1 we looked inward and found no answers to our problem.
In Step # 2 we looked outward and saw a solution.
Now in Step # 3, we make a decision and act on it.
What is the decision?
To turn will and life over to God's care.
Turn it over to the God of our understanding.
How many times do I turn my life over to God's care? Once....
How many times do I turn my will over to Him? Daily...sometimes multiple times through out the day.
In other words, I am learning the need for me to get out of the way and stay out of the way so God can work in me.
Steps # 1 through 3 settle the question about our life. We are now, through salvation, in a living, breathing, changing relationship with the God of the universe. From this point on, the steps lead us through a change of character and nature. An inward work that produces outward results.
I'll take another look at these steps tomorrow...
Got to run for now...
God on you...
mb
No comments:
Post a Comment