"12 For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.13 And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, naked and defenseless to the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do." (Heb. 4:12-13)
"4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. 5. Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. 6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character." (AA steps 4-6)
Revolutionary teachings in 12-Step Recovery are those of self-examination, confession and the necessity of change. We are to 'stop at nothing' and uncover all resentments, all fears, all secret sins, lust, pride and any other character flaw that serves to keep us in bondage and impacts our relationship with God. In fact, in each authentic recovery meeting these teachings will be read and explained as the source of true freedom.
Imagine, if you will, if these principles were taught as 'essential' to authentic Christian discipleship in our Churches each Sunday, in our 'small groups' throughout the week and openly discussed by all members? Suppose we also presented this message as VITAL to true freedom in Christ...and guide those that surrendered to Him through the process of Steps 4-6? The fact is...these teachings ARE ESSENTIAL to the Christian experience. Yet, for some reason, the Western Church has a high tolerance for 'a faith in Christ' that expects minimal character change. As long as an individual agrees to quit the BIG SINS -- such as drugs, alcohol, adultery, murder, stealing, etc...he or she can continue to live with unforgiveness, resentments, pride, bitterness, fear and all types of idolatry. But...this is not THE WAY OF CHRIST. He, by the Spirit, desires to expose us for who we really are -- even to ''deepest parts of our nature". There is no other way and this is never easy or a one-time event. It requires openness, honesty and 'fearless' accountability. For most of my life, I was living in fear of exposure and would have considered this teaching as 'too radical' and the accountability as 'restrictive'. I know today that these principles are, and will always be, the key to my freedom...FREEDOM IN CHRIST. In fact, I WILL NOT SURVIVE if I follow any other path.
Lane
2 comments:
L like the phrase,"fearless accountability." The fact that Church leaders and so many Christians are taken captive by the enemy is the lack of honesty and accountability.
We are afraid to be transparent before others. The thing that most in recovery struggle with is when they begin to go to church they see the lack of honesty and accountability among the people so they leave.
I'm not saying that our meeting on Saturday night is a model of how to do church, but we do see some who call it home.
I struggle myself with remaining open and transparent before the ones I teach. Not always an easy task as my flesh likes to think more highly of itself than it should.
MB
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