"The First Step to Freedom"
Part 1 of "The Path for Healing and Redemption"
17For the Lord says, “I was angry with them because of their sin and greed, and so I disciplined them. But they were stubborn and kept on going their own way. 18 I have seen how they acted, but I will heal them. I will lead them and help them, and I will comfort those who mourn.” – Isaiah 57:17-18 (GNT)
14 We know that the Law is spiritual; but I am a mortal, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do; for I don't do what I would like to do, but instead I do what I hate. 16 Since what I do is what I don't want to do, this shows that I agree that the Law is right. 17 So I am not really the one who does this thing; rather it is the sin that lives in me. 18 I know that good does not live in me—that is, in my human nature. For even though the desire to do good is in me, I am not able to do it. 19 I don't do the good I want to do; instead, I do the evil that I do not want to do. 20 If I do what I don't want to do, this means that I am no longer the one who does it; instead, it is the sin that lives in me. 21 So I find that this law is at work: when I want to do what is good, what is evil is the only choice I have. 22 My inner being delights in the law of God. 23 But I see a different law at work in my body—a law that fights against the law which my mind approves of. It makes me a prisoner to the law of sin which is at work in my body. 24 What an unhappy man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is taking me to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who does this through our Lord Jesus Christ! This, then, is my condition: on my own I can serve God's law only with my mind, while my human nature serves the law of sin. – Romans 7:14-25 (GNT)
The BIG Idea:
We all have hurts, habits, and hang-ups. What is it that you most need recovery, healing, and redemption from in this earthly life? The first step is to recognize that we are not God. We are powerless to control our tendencies to do wrong things and that our lives are not manageable in the end apart from Christ Jesus.
The First Step to R-E-C-O-V-E-R-Y:
Realize I am not God.
Regardless of the challenges we need recovery from, the basics step to recovery and redemption are always the same. These principles are found in God’s Word.
Our “sin nature” is the cause of our challenge(s).
The first step to recovery and redemption is we must understand the cause of the challenge(s).
How do we attempt to “play God?”
What are the consequences of “playing God?”
There are two ways to NOT react to our “hurts, habits, and hangups.”
God offers us a gift in recovery and redemption. God offers a cure.
The first step on the road to recovery, healing, and redemption is to admit our powerlessness.
The Bible says that in admitting our weakness we find strength in God.
Maturity in our faith journey with Jesus occurs when we recognize these three facts:
But the grace that God gives is even stronger. As the scripture says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” – James 4:6 (GNB)
Questions for Reflection:
What are your hurts, habits, and hangups?
In what ways have you chosen to ignore your hurts, habits, and hangups?
What is it that you most need recovery, healing, and redemption from in this earthly life?
Are you willing to admit that you are not God and that you are powerless to change these apart from the power of Christ in your life?
Do you realize that God can transform you while bringing healing and redemption to your life?
Are you willing to begin the Path to Healing and Redemption?
14 We know that the Law is spiritual; but I am a mortal, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do; for I don't do what I would like to do, but instead I do what I hate. 16 Since what I do is what I don't want to do, this shows that I agree that the Law is right. 17 So I am not really the one who does this thing; rather it is the sin that lives in me. 18 I know that good does not live in me—that is, in my human nature. For even though the desire to do good is in me, I am not able to do it. 19 I don't do the good I want to do; instead, I do the evil that I do not want to do. 20 If I do what I don't want to do, this means that I am no longer the one who does it; instead, it is the sin that lives in me. 21 So I find that this law is at work: when I want to do what is good, what is evil is the only choice I have. 22 My inner being delights in the law of God. 23 But I see a different law at work in my body—a law that fights against the law which my mind approves of. It makes me a prisoner to the law of sin which is at work in my body. 24 What an unhappy man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is taking me to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who does this through our Lord Jesus Christ! This, then, is my condition: on my own I can serve God's law only with my mind, while my human nature serves the law of sin. – Romans 7:14-25 (GNT)
The BIG Idea:
We all have hurts, habits, and hang-ups. What is it that you most need recovery, healing, and redemption from in this earthly life? The first step is to recognize that we are not God. We are powerless to control our tendencies to do wrong things and that our lives are not manageable in the end apart from Christ Jesus.
The First Step to R-E-C-O-V-E-R-Y:
Realize I am not God.
Regardless of the challenges we need recovery from, the basics step to recovery and redemption are always the same. These principles are found in God’s Word.
Our “sin nature” is the cause of our challenge(s).
The first step to recovery and redemption is we must understand the cause of the challenge(s).
How do we attempt to “play God?”
- We try to control our image.
- We try to control other people.
- We try to control our problems and challenges.
- We try to control our pain.
What are the consequences of “playing God?”
- Fear
- Frustration
- Fatigue
- Failure
There are two ways to NOT react to our “hurts, habits, and hangups.”
- “My problem is not that bad.”
- “I’m glad we are having a discussion on recovery and redemption, but I can solve my problems on my own; this series is for other people.”
God offers us a gift in recovery and redemption. God offers a cure.
The first step on the road to recovery, healing, and redemption is to admit our powerlessness.
The Bible says that in admitting our weakness we find strength in God.
Maturity in our faith journey with Jesus occurs when we recognize these three facts:
- We admit that we are powerless to change our past.
- We admit that we are powerless to control other people.
- We admit that we are powerless to cope with our harmful habits, behaviors, and actions.
But the grace that God gives is even stronger. As the scripture says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” – James 4:6 (GNB)
Questions for Reflection:
What are your hurts, habits, and hangups?
In what ways have you chosen to ignore your hurts, habits, and hangups?
What is it that you most need recovery, healing, and redemption from in this earthly life?
Are you willing to admit that you are not God and that you are powerless to change these apart from the power of Christ in your life?
Do you realize that God can transform you while bringing healing and redemption to your life?
Are you willing to begin the Path to Healing and Redemption?