Contributor: Ryan Moffat, B.S. in Bible and Theology from Multnomah University. Pastor of Vast Church.
“While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged Him, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.'”
– Luke 5:12
God often works through methodical processes, therapy sessions and group counseling environments. Thoser are legitimate ways to get sober and stay clean.
I also know – from Scripture and experience – that when God wants to change someone, He can do it with the simple word of His power. When Jesus says, “Be clean,” that pretty much defines the trajectory of your new reality.
The Problem With Knowledge
Here in the pampered Western World, we have bought into the false idea that “knowledge is power,” and it has all but pushed God (and His miraculous healing power) out of our lives. We tend to believe that if we just know enough stuff, then maybe something will change, all while failing to realize knowledge isn’t power until we tap into HIS power.
I’m reminded of what our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, did when he walked, taught and connected with people during his 33 years of life on this earth. Jesus wasn’t afraid of people’s addictions and afflictions. He wasn’t disgusted by people’s sin, and He didn’t stay away from the untouchable (the unclean) of His society.
He was so intertwined with broken people that He was actually accused of being a “friend of sinners and tax collectors” (Matthew 11:19). In Luke 5, Jesus meets an “unclean man” who has been discarded by his society and left for dead.
What kind of God pursues that man? He can literally do NOTHING for Jesus. He can’t improve Jesus’s status, can’t pay him money and can’t give anything to Him. When Jesus walks by, the man asks the most important question that any of us could ever dare to ask: “Lord, if you are willing, You can make me clean.”
Asking God For Healing And To Remove Your Addiction
Have you asked God … no, BEGGED GOD to make you clean? Have you actually allowed His power, His word (The Bible) and His Presence full access into your life and heart?
My good friend and former pastor used to always say this:
“Nobody is facing anything that a simple miracle wouldn’t solve.”
– Alan Hlavka
You will know how serious you are about your addiction recovery progress when you are confronted with how much authority and influence you allow yourself to give to God to help you in the process. If you’re still calling the shots rather than letting the Author and Creator of life do so, you might want to seriously reconsider the offer. Only He (Jesus) can make you clean!
Community Discussion: Share Your Thoughts Here!
How has giving up control and allowing God to work in your recovery from addiction impacted your life? Please add your comment below.
About the Author: Ryan Moffat received his B.S. in Bible and Theology and a minor in counseling from Multnomah University. He has pastored students, families and is passionate about Christ-centered recovery and healing. Ryan is the teaching pastor at Vast Church in Sisters, Oregon and is currently working on his Masters in Theology at Western Seminary in Portland.