NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, SO HELP ME GOD

When thoughts of relapsing enter our thinking, telling ourselves the truth about who we are in Christ will have a significant impact on the way we choose to go.  If we let memories and accusations about the past inform us about who we are today, then we are vulnerable to relapse.  God says we are new people.  The old has gone and the new has come.  What will we tell ourselves? 

Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!  (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT)

If we see ourselves as having to accomplish some perfect standard of the 12-step program or of some other religious measure to maintain our sobriety, then we are living a lie.  We are believing that our success in life and recovery depends on ourselves and our own efforts rather than on God’s gift of grace.  This kind of self-reliance is not based on truth and makes us vulnerable to relapse.

The Bible states, My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die. (Galatians 2:20-21 NLT)

We have become beloved sons and daughters of God.  This is the truth that frees us from our past life.  We are new creations who have been forgiven for all past offences that would hinder our new life with Christ.  When we accept Jesus as our Saviour, He fills us with His Holy Spirit, who is the power that helps us deal with temptation.  The Holy Spirit will strengthen us in times of trial. God says He will complete in us that which He has started, and we can trust His Word because He is faithful. 

Prayer: Gracious God, I trust in the power of Your Holy Spirit to strengthen me when I am weak and to sustain me in trying times.  Only You can comfort and heal me and be my help in time of need.  Please help me maintain my focus on the truth of Your Word so I can grow in my new life with You in recovery.  Amen