More than conquerors (III) When I am weak (IV)

I was saying last day that working the twelve steps is one way to accelerate becoming not just conquerors, but more than conquerors. Step four, making a fearless moral inventory is about being honest with ourselves. The next step is to admit to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. For many this is so very, very scary, but I have come to realize that guilt and shame grow in the dark. King David describes this experience as his bones growing old and his groaning all the day long (Psalm 32:3).The cure for guilt is to be forgiven, and since ultimately God is the only one who can forgive sins (Mark 2:7), we confess them to Him to be forgiven (1 John 1:9).

But why do we need to confess to another human being? Well the Kingdom of God coming to earth as it is in heaven, is about returning to the pre-fall state. The true (koinonia) fellowship the Bible speaks about, was found supremely in the before the fall relationship between Adam and Eve. I was expressed in openness and vulnerability (Genesis 2:25). John puts it this way “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship (koinonia) with one another” (1 John 1:7). So why do we resist, why do we not joyfully return to this state? Well I am sure I do not need to tell you that most of the time it's not safe! In a world where the default is blame, confessing our faults only gives more ammunition. But note the fifth step is not about airing our dirty laundry in public. Until we can find a fellowship that is truly safe, we likely need to find just one person (another human being) who is safe.

In a time where society itself is becoming more are more spiritually, emotionally and mentally ill, the Lord has been raising up recovery ministries in both the secular arena, and in the Church. I have received much help and training in one on one such ministry. And I get excited when somebody finds me safe enough to start a conversation with “I have never told anyone this before, but ….” The point is that I know that they have now started the recovery journey, started into “more” than just being outwardly clean. If we are going to enter into the fullness of this more however, we will need to find places that are safe enough to “Confess our faults one to another and pray for one another.” It is here that true healing starts to take place (James 5:16). And it is here, where the community that surrounds twelve-step- programs, has the advantage. In fact the very first step is about coming out of denial. And when, in addition Christ is the higher power, this opens up to us all the resources of heaven.

Father, when I am “weak enough” to be able to admit my need of You, then I am strong because there is so much more available to me. The Scripture comes to mind “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:31,32). And so this morning Lord I ask that You would give each and every one us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of You, the eyes of our understanding being enlightened; that we may know what is the hope of Your calling, what are the riches of the glory of Your inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of Your power toward us who believe. And I pray these things in Jesus Name Amen