Now that we have it clear that Scripture teaches addictions are a sin and not a disease, and that Jesus can set you free from them and you are now a new creation in Christ and not recovering all your life, we come to the third part. Do you WANT to be set free?
In the book of John chapter 5:1-9 we come to an interesting statement Jesus made. He came to a man who had been an invalid for 38 years, and asked him: “Do you want to be healed?” Seems like a pretty no brainer question, right?
I think Jesus was digging deeper and asking things like: Do you REALLY want things to change? Are you ready to leave behind all the excuses? Can you handle all the responsibilities that will become a regular part of your life now? Are you ready to leave behind the life you knew most of your existence and start a whole new life. Are you prepared for a major paradigm shift?!
After all, for those of us caught up in addictions and the accompanying lifestyle, that’s the only life we have known.
One of the questions I get asked often, especially during school events I do, is: “If someone was to have said or did something to you while you were caught up in your addictions that would have helped you come out, what would it have been?” I honestly reply – “Nothing!” Why would I want to change, that’s my life, and it’s the only life I know.
Being healed changes everything! Are we willing to pay the cost? Are we willing to do what it takes? Maybe even some people want to be healed, but they aren’t ready for the change that it brings.
Some, like me, don’t want to be healed. Our ailments (physical, mental, and emotional) have come to define us! We don’t want divine help with our problems. We don’t want to be helped out of our weaknesses. We are used to thriving on the sympathy and self-pity of others. We flee from assuming responsibility for our own lives.
Do we really want the responsibility of a promotion, or is it more comfortable to complain about your current work load and money?
Are you ready for the sacrifice of being in community or starting a relationship, or are you used to the self pity of being alone?
Do you really want to forgive that person and move on, or is it easier to distance yourself from the pain they once caused you?
Are you willing to change your lifestyle habits, or will it take too much energy to quit your unhealthy routines?
Are you willing to quit the addict lifestyle, or is that all ya want since it’s all ya know?
As Jesus points out in a roundabout way: you cannot help someone who doesn’t want to be helped. “Do you want to be healed?”
To come to Jesus for healing, we must relinquish the idea that our life is in our hands. We must admit that we need to be healed and that our own efforts have made a mess of things. To allow ourself to be embraced by God’s love, we must face the truth of how desperately we long for it. To be made whole, we must grow discontent with our misery and want something more from the Lord. We must allow the tears and the joy and the promises of God to resurrect the places in our hearts that have grown cold.
When Jesus speaks, however, hope is always kindled! Jesus told the man: “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk!” And he did! When God offers us life all we have to do is stand up! All we have to do is say yes! All we have to do is decide we want it! Do you want to be set free? Jer. 33:3!!
Last Update: May 21, 2017 7:16 am CDT
