Cheryl Potts October 12th 2014

Malcolm’s last two sermons on the book of Judges have been very insightful.  The nation of Israel’s collective cycle of addiction and capacity to forget all that God had done for them is a timely reminder for us today.If we’re really honest with ourselves, we all have cycles of addiction like in Judges, known only by ourselves and sometimes those closest to us.I heard Malcolm say last Sunday that he didn’t think that people could be ‘fixed’ of their addictions - that they would struggle all their lives; but like the Israelites, if we keep close to God and keep one another accountable, we can find encouragement to persevere.That bothered me because I’m not sure I agree.Malcolm and I chatted about it later.  What did he mean by ‘fixing’?  Sure, God does not swoop in at conversion and set all our sinful nature/addictions to right so we never have to suffer them again.  Our sins are dealt with through the blood of Jesus on the cross.  We are totally forgiven.  The resurrection of Jesus is more than just power over death, it’s the power of God to continue his work in our lives by his Holy Spirit.  We can be free from the power of sin and death.  The same Holy Spirit that lives in Jesus now lives in us.  Each day God is at work in me to change me and make me whole.Here’s the rub though.  I believe that many of us are sitting in God’s waiting room with the prescription (like the ones doctors give you when you’re sick) in our hands but we never go and get it filled.  We stay in our situations, not wanting to take God’s medicine.  When we do, we begin to find God’s intended wholeness and inheritance.  We enter into that inheritance and wholeness when we choose to say ‘yes’ to God and trust him with our lives.  I need to do this every day.  It’s a life sentence, and I need help to do it - God’s help, the scripture's help, the help of godly friends to keep me accountable.Sometimes I have to make life changes so the cycle of addiction can be broken.  It’s not easy. I don’t wish to make light of people’s struggles.  I know what Malcolm was saying.  He’s seen enough of life to know there are no easy solutions to many of the situations that this tragic but also beautiful world throws at us.Our heavenly Father is a God who saves; Jesus was testament to that.  Let’s not give into cynicism or despair.  Remember Hebrews 12:1-3“Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so you will not grow weary and lose heart.”Blessings and loveCheryl