myRECOVERYspace
Please explore our sister site:
myRECOVERYspace
Members seek freedom from
Alcoholism
Anorexia & Bulimia
Codependency
Gambling
Marijuana
Narcotics
Prescription Drugs
Overeating
Overspending
Pornography
Self-Injury
Sexual Promiscuity
Tobacco & Nicotine
myRECOVERYspace is social networking for recovery,
like a myspace for recovery of sorts
(myspace is a trademark of myspace.com)
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Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other addicts,
and to practice these principles in all our affairs
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Matthew 3:1-3
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| 3:1 |
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, | | 3:2 | And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
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| 3:3 |
For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
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12Step.org Comments:
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John the Baptist was preaching and telling others according to what the Lord had revealed to him. He did not yet know the full extent of the gospel.
He had not yet seen Jesus as the Messiah. Yet he was obedient in proclaiming what the Lord had revealed to him so far. This is a pattern for us,
to carry the message that we have known from God to others, to the extent that we have known and experienced it to be from God.
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Galatians 6:1-2
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| 6:1 |
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself,
lest thou also be tempted.
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| 6:2 |
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
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12Step.org Comments:
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Having gone through the 12 steps ourselves, we should have gained some measure of spirituality. We should be able to identify to some extent with those
who the apostle Paul here is addressing as "you who are spiritual", especially as we compare ourselves to those who are still caught up in their
addictive behaviors. As such, we are admonished to "restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted."
One of the beauties of the 12 step program is that we have been given a structured set of steps through which we can help to restore "such a one"
who has fallen into a fault, into destructive and addictive behaviors. Through working through the steps ourselves, we have insights and wisdom
that we can share with others as they try to find freedom, healing and recovery. The attitude here is important, though, as we are to do it in
a "spirit of meekness". With such an attitude on our part, then our offer to help is usually much more welcome to those in need than would be
an attitude of arrogance or self-righteousness. Also, an attitude of meekness reminds us again of our own need for God in our life and will help
us to not fall back into our own addictive behaviors and thought patterns. This is vital so that while we are helping others we will also be doing
self-reflection on how God and the program have worked in our lives - considering ourselves - so that we will not be tempted by the addiction that
has held such power in our lives and still might to a large extent. We are told in verse 6:2 that in helping to carry these burdens of others we are
fulfilling the law of Christ, emulating to some extent the One who came to help carry our burdens and to sacrifice His body on the cross that we could
find freedom from sin.
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1 Timothy 1:12-16
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| 1:12 |
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
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| 1:13 |
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
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| 1:14 |
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. |
| 1:15 |
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
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| 1:16 |
Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter
believe on him to life everlasting.
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12Step.org Comments:
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In this letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul admits to being a blasphemer and persecutor of the church, and that he had done that in ignorance and unbelief.
By the time we get to the twelfth step in our program, we also should be able to be very honest and straightforward concerning our faults of the past.
Having gained wisdom through working the earlier steps, we will know how to present ourselves in a light of honesty and humility that can stand as an
example of the mercy and grace of God. In working with others who are in the midst of or just coming out of their addictive behaviors, this honesty
about ourselves can bring hope to them for their own recovery and can keep us honest and humble and on track with our own programs. We can continue
in the pattern of Paul, who is an example for those who have come after him in finding a saving belief in Christ Jesus that leads to life everlasting.
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James 5:19 - James 5:20
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| 5:19 |
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; |
| 5:20 |
Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. |
12Step.org Comments:
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| All of us are subject to erring from the truth. This is especially so for those who have been caught up in the lies of an addiction.
As someone who has been seduced by those same or similar lies in our own addictive behavior, we can have an understanding of what another person might
be going through. It is our duty and our joy to do what we can to help others see the error of their ways and share with them the hope that there is a
way out, through the grace and mercy of God.
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