Addiction & Redemption

Addiction and redemption ... there's some issues. Could probably write a book on that one. Others probably already have!

The relationship between addiciton and redemption is interesting to me. I consider myself a "born again" Christian. That experience took place over twenty years ago--long before I became an addict. So for me, some of the addiction experience has been inverted.

Many addicts--whether they be alcoholics,smokers,drug addicts, or sex addicts--experience redemption as part of the process of recovery. The most widespread form of recovery from addiction is the twelve steps which start with the following three:

1. We came to acknowledge that we were powerless over our addictive behavior; that our lives had become unmanageable.

2. We came to believe a Power Greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity if that power were sought.

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood God.

So for many addicts, recovery involves a spiritual experience. Redemption through Christ or some other saving figure is a step on the road to recovery.

But I was a Christian before I became an addict. So for me there has been a struggle to discern whether I had truly been a Christian or not, and, if so, how had I stumbled down this road?

So, to make a long story short, this is what I have come to believe. Christ died for my sins. In that act I was redeemed for all time. My life on Earth is a process of realizing and accepting that redemption. To the degree that I can surrender my will to Christ, I can participate in that redemption now. Nevertheless, my life will always have sin and I will always experience some estrangement from Christ while on Earth. Still, for my sake and the sake of others around me, it is best that I learn to surrender on a daily basis. This will help bring God's Kingdom to this world and allow me to live life in joy and serenity (though not without struggle or hard times).

So thank you for asking. It is good to put thoughts into words from time to time.