From the Cross: Substance Abuse

by David Chadwick

Substance abuse is the final topic we are going to look at in our series “From the Cross.” It is usually thought of as people’s misuse of things like alcohol, drugs, and pornography. But I would argue that there are a multitude of “substances” that can be abused. For today’s purposes, I am defining substance abuse as the misuse of any worldly pleasure in order to cope and be able to function from day to day.

Substance abuse is a lot like idolatry. People can have addictions to all sorts of things: power, money, shopping, success, the need to be liked by others, gambling, smartphones, and even food.

Notice the word “substance.” It is something that gives you a rush or something you need to get through your day. A substance gives you identity and meaning. It is the worship of something in creation that takes the place of the Creator.

So how do you gain victory over “substance” abuse? What is the answer to this problem?

First, recognize that the substance you crave is an idol and call it as such. Confess it. Own it. Acknowledge it. This puts you back in your rightful place under the Lordship of Jesus as you acknowledge that a created object has taken the rightful place that only your Creator should have! When you admit something, that is the first step in healing.

Secondly, hate what the addiction to this substance has done to your life. It has controlled you. It has mastered your will.

Third, and this one is key, you must replace your love for whatever substance has a hold on you with a greater love. In my opinion and experience, the only love I know that is stronger than a substance is the love, grace, and mercy of Jesus.

We must come face to face with his love. Jesus did not give us hell that we deserved, which is his mercy. But instead, he gives us eternity in heaven and so many blessings that we don’t deserve, which is his grace. As you contemplate the wonderful cross, you pour contempt on your pride. Your desire to please Jesus becomes greater than your desire for any addiction, false gods, substances, or idols. An encounter with Jesus will crush your contemptuous rebellion against God and his authority in your life.

If you follow Jesus, you are now a worshipper of the one, true God. Jesus now holds the seat of honor and authority in your life. You are called to seek first his kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Your flesh and the lusts of your earthly passions have been crucified (Galatians 2:2). You are now free to love Jesus and others with all that is in you! This is God’s will for your life!

From the Cross: Control

by David Chadwick

We are looking at the many strongholds that have come from the cross after our local church congregation confessed different hurts and sins during the Easter season. Control is today’s topic.

Control is the delusion that we are in charge of our lives. It leaves people with an illusion of power that they were never meant to have. Only God is in control!

The irony of control is that so often the most controlling people are actually the least self-controlled. They spend all of their emotional energy trying to control everything around them and neglect the only Biblical instruction to control, which is the call to have self-control (Galatians 5:23).

In order to speak accurately about this topic of control, we must first realize that we are called to make wise decisions in accordance with God’s Word. Throughout Scripture, God calls us to live with wisdom, knowledge, and discernment. As followers of Jesus, we should desire to be faithful unto the Lord in every area of our lives!

Regardless of our efforts to be faithful and responsible, how much do we really control? I love this saying: Man proposes, God disposes. Or like Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

God is the one who ultimately brings about results. He has the overreaching providence to work out his plans for his world (Genesis 50:20). Everything that happens is always moving God’s ultimate plan toward what is needed for our good and for his glory (Romans 8:28). As God said to Job at the end of his ordeals, he says to us, “Where were you when I created the world?”

At the end of the day, we must simply do the best we can. I used to tell my kids, “Do your best and give God the rest.” We should make good decisions and live as responsibly as possible, but we must trust God with the outcome!

Only God controls everything. He is the only one who oversees the world. That is the essence of faith. We know that he will never forsake his children.

God has a plan. He oversees his plan. We must trust him in his plan. Release everything to him. We are called to obey him and then trust him. In the end, we must remain confident that he alone is in control and our lives belong to him!

This truly is the pathway to freedom.

From the Cross: Fear

by David Chadwick

“Fear” was written down multiple times by people at our Service of Darkness this past Easter. Because of how many times it was addressed, I wanted to cover it a second time in this series.

Fear. This is the foreboding feeling that something bad may happen.

Did you know that God frequently tells us not to fear in the Bible?

“Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:31).

“Fear not, for I am with you…” (Isaiah 43:5).

“Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed…” (Joshua 1:9).

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God…” (Isaiah 41:10).

So many examples in Scripture of being told not to fear. And yet this is a crippling, common emotion that too many people choose to embrace and let dictate their entire lives!

It is one of the first negative emotions introduced to mankind after the Fall in Genesis 3. After sinning, Adam responded to the Lord God by saying, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” The building blocks of Adam’s guilt created a house of shame in which fear walked right in!

Stop for a moment and remember God’s original intent. He originally intended for creation to be orderly and peaceful, an environment where fear could not exist. Before sin entered the world, Adam and Eve perfectly trusted God in all things and lived in shalom - perfect peace and wholeness!

After eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they essentially declared themselves to be God and fear entered the world.

The antidote for fear is God’s presence. His presence allows us to live both surrendered to and arrested by tremendous faith! Repeatedly in God’s Word, faithful people are adjured, “Do not be afraid, for God is with you.” When Jesus ascended to heaven, he promised that he would be with his children forever, until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). This means he promised to leave his presence indwelling in the hearts of all who believe in him!

The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in the hearts of anyone who professes faith in Jesus (Romans 8:11). Fear must flee.

The eternal God of this universe in Jesus faces all your problems with you.

Why fear?