Chapter 6

The term “human condition” is quite descriptive of the one enslaved by addictive lifestyles. “Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.” (Rom 8:8 NIV) For it is true that one who continues in any lifestyle sin with no repentance faces the ultimate penalty. This basic human dilemma is that sin separates us from a Holy God. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 6:23 NIV)

It is impossible to please God except through faith in Christ. “And without faith it is impossible to please God…” (Heb 11:6) Faith in Christ leads one to the next obvious step in the fortification of recovery, which is to do good works God prepared in advance. “…In Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph 2:10 NIV) God desires obedience. “But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him…” (1 John 2:5 NIV) The crisis of being in addictive lifestyles is rightly identified as a spiritual problem, and we only know one true way of deliverance. “Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life…” (John 14:6) If you do not yet know God, may you find him now.

Deciding importance between faith-or-works is akin to asking which blade of the scissors is more vital. They work together. “…Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead.” (James 2:17 NIV) It is important to understand faith in Jesus Christ comes first (otherwise good works have no meaning or value); this produces the only type of righteousness God recognizes. “…The righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.” (Phil 3:9 NIV) It is then God acting through us that produces good works. “…For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Phil 2:13) The key point to notice here is this: if you are fully seeking God first in all you do and pray for guidance in your decisions, you will grow spiritually. If you are busy growing spiritually, you will find no time to continually please the sinful nature.

The law of non-contradiction states that “A” cannot be “A” and “B” at the same time; therefore, you cannot change and remain the same concomitantly. If you honestly seek Christ, He will change you. If Christ is changing you, you will not participate in addiction or any continual lifestyle sinning. “Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.…” (1 John 3:6 NLT)

The converse is also true: you cannot remain the same and somehow change. This acts as a self-test. If you do not experience change, you do not know Jesus or follow Him. “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Cor. 13:5 NIV)

Within the life that only Christ can offer, there is no further room for co-existence of addictive lifestyles. You will know true Peace, as only God will provide. “For He himself is our peace,…” (Eph 2:14 NIV) If you do not know peace, may you find God now.