I Was Blind ----Now I See

John 9:13
Then they conducted to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind......

John 9:25
....But one thing I do know, that whereas I was blind before, now I see.

Testimony to the love of Jesus, that he would move a person from one state of being to another. To provide for that individual something the individual was incapable of providing for themselves. In this case, it was the ability to see. 

No matter how hard the man wanted to see, he couldn't.
No matter how much effort he put forth, he was still blind.
In fact, society has a way of labeling people who struggle and suffer with such afflictions, don't they?
We read of "Blind" Bartimaeus in Scripture. I'm pretty sure that this was a label that stuck with him all through his life.......
That is, until he met Jesus.

How about Naaman the Leper. Good man...brave man....man of integrity.....leper. That one stripped away everything good that Naaman accomplished. People shunned him. He was an outcast of sorts because he could not do anything about his condition.

How about Rahab the harlot. There's a good one. Do you think her family was proud of that moniker? Do you think that she wore the name "harlot" with pride and dignity? Or maybe she had been beat down her whole life to the point she just didn't care any more. Successful business woman.....everyone knew her.......but she couldn't escape that label.

What label follows you around this morning?
What condition are you living in that you cannot escape?
Is it addiction?
You've heard the names.....
Addict....
Junkie....
Drunkard.......
Meth-head......
Whore........
And the list goes on and on and on.
Each name just beats the very life out of you. Each name pasted to you because of your past.
Well, there is one who has the power and authority to free you from that past.
His name is Jesus....

I chose the verses from John Chapter 9 today for one reason. The simplicity of the statement made by the man Jesus healed.
The religious people are going nuts because Jesus chose to heal this man on the Sabbath.
There was an inquisition, and questioning about the event.
This must have taken place over many hours, and I'm sure the man who was healed had had just about enough.
Finally he makes the ultimate answer to an argument.
"Hey guys!  I only know one thing....I was blind........now I can see. End of story".
That's all you have to know today,  if you want to break free from addiction.
That Jesus has the power, ability and authority to heal you from it.
Simple as that.
Step#1 ---recognize your powerless when it comes to our using, that my life has become unmanageable and out of control.

Step#2 --- Reach a point where you believe that Christ can restore you spirit, soul and body to sanity. That you will be led to a new level of life you could not provide for yourself.

Step#3 --- You confess your past sins (that would be the actions that you did because of your wanting to run your own life. You wanted to free and independent from anything to do with God). You turn will and life over to His care, and let Him drive the bus.

That's all you have to do....
Next will come some discipline that He will help you with. Some daily things you can do to strengthen yourself so that you can move forward with this new life.
Old life is gone....the old labels removed....
The new life has come......new labels put in place.

God on you...
mb