Saved and Made New

Published 11/3/19

Read John 3:16-18

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God."

Reflect

What are some of the world's ways of beating addictions like alcoholism? How can you let God start transforming you and your thinking?

You don't have to be a Christian to recognize that alcoholism is a bad habit. But if you are a Christian and an alcoholic the problem is magnified. Not because God regards the sins of Christians as worse than sins of others--all sin is equally despicable to God but His mercy is equally as great to all people. Being a Christian and caught in a destructive addiction is worse because in addition to being afflicted by the negative effects of the addiction, the believer is also afflicted by self-condemnation and doubt.

But believer or not, God's response is the same. "God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it" (John 3:17, NLT). Alcoholics understand better than a lot of people the need to be saved. They know what it's like to be a slave to a compulsion that will destroy them. If that's you, understand that God is here to save you.

The reason he wants to save you is described in what is probably the most famous verse in the Bible. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16, NLT).

Look at that verse closely and you'll realize that when God looked at humanity He saw something in us that would kill us. He saw sin--a compulsion everyone has--and saw that we are all slaves to it. He knew that the only way to free us was by giving His Son, Jesus. His death and resurrection will free us from sin and, every sinful compulsion that comes as a result, if we choose to believe.

The old saying is still true, "Old habits die hard." But when you come to Jesus you come to a friend who is the only One who actually has the power to beat your addiction.

Pray

Lord, thank you for your great love and mercy that allows us to be free. Continue to grant me the strength and desire to always seek you. Amen.