This Month’s exhortation effectively develops an important theme in, what is for us, an unusual manner Instead of using an abundance of Bible passages, the exemplary conduct of contemporary people is cited, and several of the people alluded to have no connection with our community We are invited to learn the lesson of enthusiastic dedication from a Vietnamese stranger and taxi drivers in Indonesia and New Zealand as well as Christadelphians in Asia.
We don’t normally develop points from personal testimonials We are people of the Book and feel the examples there are divinely provided and more suitably illustrate spiritual lessons Occasionally, however, the personal testimonial has its place as it did with the apostle Paul and as we have seen with some brethren who have been converted in very dramatic circumstances.
Our attention was further arrested by this month’s “Minute Meditation” Bro Lloyd’s first support for his lesson comes from a fundamental premise of Alcoholics Anonymous Again, we are invited to learn from those outside the community on one essential point As the Master said, there are times when “the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light” (Lk 168).
Some personal investigation
With our interest aroused, we gave more thought to the premises underlying the approach taken by AA which so many have found helpful and did a little personal research. In doing so, we found several points similar to our own approach to life as we seek to escape bondage to sin and death. We did note one aspect, however, where we feel there may be a great lesson to be learned.
Points of similarity
- Admission of a serious problem that we cannot overcome ourselves. Every believer in Christ starts his conversion with such an acknowledgment. We admit we cannot do anything about our mortality; we need salvation. We admit our ignorance; we need instruction. We admit we our powerless to overcome sin; we need help.
- Belief that help is available from God (since AA is intended for addicts of any religion, they refer to a “higher power” without defining who or what this may be). Our great faith is that God exists and that He offers salvation from sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ – help is available.
- A decision is made to turn one’s will and life over to the care of God (or the “higher being,” as AA puts it). We have made a decision to do the same. Our degree of success in actually doing so will vary, just as it does for members of AA. Our success rate is high when it comes to our hope for escape from death as we look only to the promises of God. Yet our trust in His care may falter as we store up treasure on earth to supposedly protect us against times of want. We may tend, as well, to rely too heavily on ourselves to overcome sin.
- AA members are urged to make a searching and fearless moral inventory of themselves on a continuing basis (their standard of right and wrong varies with the individual). Our self-examination (using God’s standards) should be penetrating and honest on a daily basis, particularly at the breaking of bread.
- The AA program urges continued prayer to God for help and understanding to remove one’s various defects of character. If this is not a continual feature of our lives, it certainly should be. We are fully aware that the Lord knows us through and through; His eyes penetrate to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12). He is ready to forgive and to help, but only if our attitude is one of humble contrition as we readily confess our sins and our need.
- The participant is continually encouraged that by following the program, with the help of a “higher being,” he can stop drinking or taking drugs. Success is possible.
We know that we will never stop committing sins until this mortal is made immortal, but we are confident that, with God’s help and by dedicating ourselves to the Word and personal effort, we can stop being enslaved to sin. As the apostle says: “Brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Rom 8 12-14) A goodly measure of success is possible, in fact, it is mandatory.
- Regular association with fellow AA members is encouraged for fellowship and reinforcement While not in their “12 points,” association with those sharing the affliction and the struggle to overcome seems to be viewed as mandatory to success.
The concept of the body of Christ incorporates this fundamental idea “The eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you” (I Cor 12 21) is a design replicated in the spiritual body as no one member had all the spirit gifts Association was mandatory if each individual was to have the necessary help for spiritual growth The same is true today, as we soon realize if we withhold ourselves from association with the believers.
- Out-of-town visitors are welcomed at local AA meetings If they seek association, information is readily available on local meetings and the visitor finds a ready welcome In our case, the welcome goes beyond the ecclesia itself to hospitality in the home.
- Emphasis is placed by AA members on spreading the good word by speaking up and by example Hopefully, as those blessed with a knowledge of the only saving gospel, we do the same
A significant point of difference
Our personal sampling of AA meetings is obviously very small but we quickly noted the prevalence of a non-threatening atmosphere People seemed to be very forward in discussing their problems of addiction to alcohol or drugs Those who had yet to practice abstinence, or had recently slid backward, did not seem to be at all worried of criticism from those who had been dry for years The tone was set by the common introduction “Hi I’m Joe/Jane, and I’m an alcoholic (addict) ” Since the only reason for attendance is recognition of a shared problem, there seemed to be no attempt to hide the fact Further, since all conceded the problem was beyond their power to control, none seemed surprised when somebody was again overcome by it.
Realizing our sample was minute, we asked around and were told our observation was accurate The meetings are conducive to open confession of failure, of ready seeking of help and the giving of it in a non-critical manner.
Our sampling of ecclesial meetings is rather large and we have seldom noted such a non-threatening atmosphere to admission of failure Why should this be since we are all confessed and repentant sinners, since we insist as a point of doctrine we will all commit sins and we all acknowledge the enemy is too powerful for us? Of course our failures cover the full range of human conduct, not just addiction, and others in the ecclesia are frequently our victims. So perhaps some of our sins are so personal and hurtful, they are very awkward to freely confess.
We surely do not feel threatened that some failure, if confessed, will alienate us from God. Scripture is remarkable in recording the failures of its heroes. We easily remember David’s sin and Peter’s denial, but the failures are everywhere from Abraham’s fearfulness and Sarah’s impertinence to Asa’s spitefulness, Josiah’s rashness and the continued problems among the early believers. Failure, forgiveness and recovery are an essential part of life in Christ. In fact, a great reason we turn to him is because of our need for continuing forgiveness of sins.
Perhaps we are troubled with a sense of inferiority as we feel others are so much above us in their spirituality. But at AA, those who have been dry for a long time seem the most helpful to those who are struggling, even after years in the program.
For some reason there seemed little fear of gossip among the AA members. Perhaps that is because all honor the code of anonymity, or perhaps they don’t care if their failures are known because they have already freely admitted them.
The non-threatening atmosphere was clearly critical to the meetings being helpful. Openly discussing one’s problems is at the core of the program’s success. In our own community, we have experienced a difficulty in this regard as those with serious emotional or family problems use outside counsel rather than turning first to those in the community. Sometimes the outside person may have special training, but the AA members are all amateurs, many of whom could not be helped by professionals.
They have found their best help has come from fellow-sufferers. One would think our best help would come from those who are wholly empathetic with our goals, standards, commitments and struggles to obey. Yet, regrettably, we often encounter a harsh, intolerant attitude toward our weaknesses and even dread that our brethren will discover our shortcomings.
We don’t have the answer, but we can observe that in this regard AA seems to have something we could learn from. Perhaps articulating the matter may help us address it.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One