With Christ have I been crucified, yet I am living; no longer I, but living in me is Christ. Now that which I am now loving in the flesh, I am living in faith that is of the Son of God, Who loves me, and gives Himself up for me
Paul to the Galatians 2: 20, Concordant New Testament
I remember that night like it was yesterday. Lost in my own addiction, I stood outside the door to yet another Portland strip club waiting to once again fulfill that desire of my own flesh. I had prayed, fasted and read countless books on what it took to beat back the addiction of pornography, and yet I still found myself outside the door to another night of idolizing women. But this time something was different. I couldn't put my finger on it at the time, but I suddenly felt as if I didn't belong there for some reason. That I was meant for something better than what I was about to do. Today, I refer to this moment as the moment that God reminded me just who I was in His eyes. Not the sinner who everyone, including those within the church, often told me that I was. I wasn't that guy anymore. No, as the Father reminded me that night in the midst of my addiction, was that I was His loved child, and that He had better things in mind for me. As a result, I did something I'd never done before up until that point, I turned and left that place I had so often went to fuel my addiction. My struggle was not over by a long shot, but I had learned something important about the man that I am. Why is this important? Well, lately I have been bombarded with ads and videos from those proclaiming that they can finally end the pornography addiction which so many men and women suffer from. From seminars to hypnosis, these modern day charlatans take the issue of pornography and prey upon those who suffer from it. Believe me, I know all too well of the "Break the porn addiction" industry. As one who was lost in my own addiction, I longed for that day when I could finally be free from those chains. Yet each and every man conceived method I tried got me nowhere fast. However, not once did I ever hear one of these salesman ask me that question, who are you in Gods eyes? For their part, those within the mainstream church instilled in me that I was but a sinner deserving of the Lords punishment and/or eternity in hell. I was being fed the lie of the deceiver from those I had come to expect to hear of Gods love and forgiveness.
In Whom there is no Jew nor yet Greek, there is no slave nor yet free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus
Paul to the Galatians 3: 28, Concordant New Testament
Some time ago, a dear friend of mine related to me the key issue which we face which is at the very heart of the pornography addiction issue. That being the issue of who it is that we think that we are. For years, I adhered to the church narrative that I was indeed a sinner. This is the same narrative spoken by the church today. I know because I hear it in conversations with my church going friends. I have even been threatened with an eternity in hell because I no longer go to church! Tell me, is this biblical? Does God want us to live in fear? The apostle John didn't think so. For it is John who proclaims that there is no fear to be seen in the love of the Father {First Epistle of John 4:18}. So, God never intended for me, or anyone else for that matter, to live in fear of what He might do as judgement for our sins. Remember, it is Christ Jesus who has given Himself willingly in our place on that cross {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 5:21}. God has proclaimed that "One not knowing sin" would be that sin offering for our sakes. So, when those within the church speak of our sin identity, they are not being totally honest. For our identity does not lie with that which Christ Jesus has died to put to death {Paul to the Romans 6:6-11}. Our one true identity now lies with Christ {Paul to the Galatians 2:20}. Not only that, but we can be assured that God does not look upon us as sinners, but as His loved and cherished children {First Epistle of John 3:1}. Whatever addiction that you face, we can be assured that we are never condemned by the Father, but welcomed. But knowing this truth may just put the porn addiction cure cult out of business for good.
~Scott~
No comments:
Post a Comment