Take a person that has had a problem with alcohol all their lives. At some point in their lives, their addiction claims their marriage, their kids and their freedom. At their lowest point, God shows up and that person believes in Jesus and is born again. Now, as this person grows in Christ, they begin to drop all their addictions and starts to walk in faith. Now, they've heard and believed that God will live in them and work through them, all they need to do is have faith. Let's call our subject Bill. Now Bill, he's doing great. His relationship with God is going in the right direction but one day Bill's new friends invite him out to dinner at a local restaurant. Bill knows that the local restaurant has a bar in it. As soon as He is invited, he hesitates and tells them he'll get back with them and let them know if he can go or not.
What is the hesitation? Fear. For a brief moment, Bill thought about his past and what alcohol did to his life. His flashback dredged up all the hurt and pain he caused and he doesn't want to go through that again. He thinks if he goes to the bar, the temptations would be to overwhelming and he would fail. So, he tells his friends no and tries to explain it to them. They understand but now they are on edge around him all the time and they treat him differently. His fear of alcohol gets worse as he doesn't even go to social events or to family functions and he eventually falls into depression which leads him back to the thing he was afraid of. Now, obviously there are several different outcomes that could play out but you get the idea.
Instead of fear this time, let's try faith. Bill is asked to go out and he hesitates going through the same thought processes as before but as fear starts to grip, he instead turns to faith in God. By faith, Bill reassures himself, I can walk into that restaurant, see people drinking and smell it and not be tempted because I know God is living in me. He says, if I believe in Him to keep me and protect me from harm then no harm will come to me. He loves me and He wants good for me, not evil. He will curb my desires, He will part the sea, He will walk with me through the fire and though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for He is with me. In a five second thought process of turning from fear to faith, Bill accepts their invitation and he looks forward to time with friends.
Let's see where faith takes Bill. That night he meets his friends and the place is busy. They mingle by the bar before a table is ready and some get drinks. Bill is focused on conversation. Out of nowhere, Bill sees an old friend sitting at the end of the bar. He excuses himself and goes over to see him. As soon as Bill says, hey buddy been a long time, He sees his friend is drunk. His old friend looks at him blankly then remembers. They talk for a while and then Bill goes back to his new friends, eats and goes home. The old friend at the bar calls Bill three days later. Hey bud, I just wanted to tell you, I'm sober for the first time in twenty years because of your story. I left the bar crying and so remorseful. I was just going to go drive myself into a tree but when I got in my car to leave, God showed up and told me he loved me. I was saved that night and I've been sober since. I just thought you'd want to know. Both men cried and loved on each other over the phone for a while.
Obviously, the outcomes are vastly different and this is not just a made up story. This type of scenario with different situations and people play out everyday throughout the world. We, followers of Christ in the faith, can do one of two things. We can either succumb to fear or rise in faith. It's our choice. We cannot avoid temptations, we cannot shut ourselves up in a bubble and avoid the world. We are called to shine like a city on a hill and to be Sons of God. We cannot tip toe through life worrying about land mines going off. We must walk in faith that conquers all fear, all trials and tribulations. Dont avoid, overcome by the Spirit of God that lives in you.
To God be the Glory
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