"For these are not drunk, as you suppose . . . (Acts 2:15)
There’s no doubt that we have a major problem with drugs and alcohol in America. It used to be just with the young people but now it’s across the board in age, race, gender, and class status. The problem is related to the majority of traffic accidents. It constitutes the reason for many in hospital beds. It relates to many divorces. A multitude of financial problems are tied to it. It negatively alters a person’s personality and works against a person’s talents, productivity, and a promising future. It saps the economy and the workplace as people call in sick or miss work due to a binge that backfired or to time off for rehab. This also can tie into a loss of a job or a promising career. There’s no doubt we could say a whole lot more about the bad fruit of drugs and alcohol.
You might know someone who is struggling with this problem. You yourself might be that person. Be assured the solution is not in some program but in some person . . . and His name is Jesus! Programs can educate you, but Jesus can deliver you. (Rom 10:13) Programs will reform you but Jesus will transform you. (2 Cor 3:18) Programs will help you but Jesus will be you help. (Psa 30:10) Praise God that many of us have experienced salvation through Jesus Christ, and as a result He has taken these things away from us. We don’t call ourselves an alcoholic or a drug addict anymore. We call ourselves children of God! (1 John 3:1) That’s our new identity. We are not tied to our past. The past is the past and all our sins are under the blood of Jesus Christ. (Col 2:14) We are now marching ahead into the bright future God has for us. (Jer 29:11)
Now, how do you keep from slipping back after you’ve had a problem? How do you keep yourself from falling off the bandwagon? Get on the Jesus wagon! He keeps you from falling (Jude 24) and when you fall He picks you up, wipes you off, and gets you back on track. (Psa 51) And don’t forget, drugs and alcohol are just cheap substitutes for a personal relationship with the Lord. When you accept Jesus into your life, you now have a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe who loves you. What could compare with that? When the early church received the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) they were so full of the Holy Spirit, people thought they were drinking “spirits!” You see, Jesus lifts you so high, you don’t need the temporary lift of the world.
So, if you or a loved one has a problem, then be encouraged that when Jesus comes in the old goes out! "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:36) And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit. (Eph 5:18)
Louie