Ronald Cernohorsky Supporter Child of the Most High

All Christians struggle with sin in a particular area. I myself have struggled with drug addiction and very recently as well. I know that I Am saved, because I have a relationship with Jesus and because he speaks to me.

 Even though I still struggle with this sin at times, I keep the Lord close and He continues to deliver me every time I backslide and will continue to do so until I Am totally free.

 So yes, if your brother has truly given his life to Jesus, he can be saved and still struggle with addiction to drugs. I have for 8 years. The most important question is, does he have a relationship with Jesus? 

Tell him tor cry out to Him and He will deliver your brother.It's usually when I feel like I Am on the edge of losing my battle with drugs, that my relationship with Jesus becomes most fervent in my life. I become totally dependent upon Him to deliver me, because I know that I Am losing the battle and it will take a miracle to deliver me. Unlike what some denominations may teach, Christians still struggle against sin and will do so until the Lord takes us home. The longer you walk with the Lord, the stronger your armor will become, but most times it does not happen over night. It is totally dependent upon the person and how much they readily submit to Jesus upon being saved.

 The most important thing you can do is pray for him and continue to do so. I will pray for him now.......

December 10 2013 • 6 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Bruce Lyon Supporter Elder: Restoration Fellowship Assembly

A person with substance abuse problems and who also prays to God for relief and help is on the right track. God looks on the heart of anyone who approaches him and acts accordingly.

If anyone come to God with a contrite and humble repentant heart seeking His help in anything He hears and will give more of the power of His spirit to all who ask in a right attitude of mind.

Addiction to anything whether it is drugs, alcohol, sex, money, power are all signs that the sin in us is exercising its control and those who are in such a position are in a condition of bondage.

Thank God, He has provided the means by which we can be free and that He gave His uniquely begotten son in order that we may have life, and walk in newness of life, walk in the spirit and as such overcome the desires of the flesh. 

Amazing grace that saves a wretch like me and gives me the strength to be set free from the bondage of sin, to regard the old man as dead and enables me to walk in newness of life, in resurrection life. That life is available for all who come to the lord Messiah Jesus and desire to live in him according to faith-obedience.

December 11 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Glenn Harrell Supporter Bi-vocational Minister, writer

I hope you will take what Ron says to heart.
He is connected to the truth.

Drugs become a coping mechanism for those who think they have no other means of dealing with pain and fear. Once in the blood stream and brain--it is there with all the present screams and future memories.

I have many drug addict friends who are professing born again believers. They have smoked for years and every attempt at quitting seems to take them further away from hope. Yes, nicotine is a drug just like alcohol and cocaine. It is socially acceptable and legal. 

Alcohol is a drug. Gossiping, overeating, feeling superior to others can become drug-like.

For the addict who becomes God's child through repentance of unbelief---don't obligate God to undo in one day what you did to yourself over many years.

This is what growing in your faith is about. Let's put heaven aside for a moment. The sweet by-and-by is wonderful but the painful now-and -now is what we are really talking about.

1- If you have a son or daughter who is addicted to food or drugs, will you tell them to clean up their act and "practice what they preach"?
2-Will you threaten them with dissowner ship and kick them out of the family if they won't "quit"?
3-Will remaining a part of their family require a particular moral behavior or saying "I'm sorry" over and over?

I didn't think so. Yet, people make becoming and remaining a Christian about moral behavior every day. 
If this is so, then Jesus death was in vain and NO ONE has any hope.

If you became a Christian, was it because you accumulated enough good works for God to say, "Good job ole boy--I will love, accept and save you now?" I didn't think so. 

"Money paid to workers isn't a gift. It is something they earn by working. But you cannot make God accept you because of something you do (or quit doing). God accepts sinners only because they have faith in him." (Romans 4:4)

To answer your question about heaven, you need good bible understanding and belief. You must know how you became a Christian and how you will remain and grow as one. 

It is not about you and what you start or stop. It is about the Lord Jesus coming inside of you, making you a new creature and beginning a new life. (II Corinthians 5:17) This new life is in contradiction to the old. You will know this instinctively and God will equip you for the journey. 

God birthed you into his family, not to "un-birth" you when you misbehave or to beat you down and threaten you with excommunication and abandonment. 
You and I will sin, but unlike our friend who is lost to God, we are no longer obligated to sin. (Romans 8) Learning this truth is very important to growth as his child.

Only those who are dead to sin become free from its bondage.

Just what is God going to do with you and me? We are sinful, yet saved. We are mortal, yet mindful of the great thing he has done for us.

Do not listen to those who believe and act as though their church or good works will assure them heaven and peace on earth. Listen to God's Spirit. "Only those people who are led by God's Spirit 
(John 3:5-8) are his children. God's Spirit doesn't make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father. God's Spirit makes us sure that we are his children. 
(I John 5:9-12) "His Spirit lets us know that together with Christ, we will be given what God has promised." (Romans 8:14-17)

As his child, he expects us to behave. He will correct us, as any loving Father. (Hebrews 12:7-12) Most importantly, this is not to remain his child, but to grow as such.

(Ephesians 2:1-10) 

Going to heaven is not about being good--It is about belonging. "Nothing in all creation can separate us from God's love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:37-39)

Have your brother seek professional counseling, be faithful to his bible reading and stay in rehab until he no longer says, "rehab didn't work for me."
The "bottom" for many is deeper. Getting caught is a true blessing.

December 11 2013 • 3 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Ma. Bernadette Lavin Supporter AB English graduate, Teacher, Catholic

I believe he still can if at the time he faces death he is able to ask for forgiveness and repent. Only those who are dead have no more chance at forgiveness. But how can one be sincere in accepting Jesus if he can't let go of worldly pleasures? This isn't scripture, but it's a perfect adage that your brother should heed (no offense meant)... "Practice what you preach".

December 10 2013 • 8 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Aurel Gheorghe Supporter

It's risky business to predict who would be saved and who wouldn't. Only God know heart of men (and women) and can make that determination. Having said that and knowing what the Bible is saying will help me be sure of my own salvation, not others. 

We know that Jesus took upon Himself our sins when He died on the cross. He gave us the robe of righteousness so we can be saved from our sins, not in our sins. He took the punishment for our sins and asked us not to sin anymore. In John 8:1-11, Jesus forgave the women caught in adultery and told her to sin no more. He didn't said go and try the best as you can. We are all sinners and struggle with different forms of sins. Asking for forgiveness and for the Holly Spirit power to overcame our sinful inclinations is a good start. Knowingly and stubbornly engaging in harmful and destructive behavior is being disobedient of God's will. 

Saying that quitting sinful behavior is too hard, or impossible means that we doubt God's power to save us from sin and agreeing that Satan's temptations are stronger than God's saving power. 

Whenever I feel defeated and overwhelmed by my failures, I recite in my head Philippians 4:13.

July 22 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Derrol PORTER Supporter Emancipated by the Liberating King

There is only one perfect human that ever lived on this earth. Or as Kris Kristofferson penned, "I'm only human, I'm just a man. One day at a tme or why me Lord? Lord help me Jesus, I've wasted it so, help me Jesus. I know what I am."

Here is a man with fame, fortune, and talent that was and maybe still is all that has been talked about, but came to a realization that the only real hope in being a human is through Jesus's daily help. 

When we all become born again, something takes place in our spirits that begins a change in our soul and body. There may be a miraculous change or a gradual change with a daily struggle, but the desire to change is the key.

Jesus saves us from the penalty of sin, then through the Holy Spirit He saves us from the power of sin, but only when we go to heaven will He save us from the presence of sin.

Like many have said there are many addictions, some looked on more tolerably by others, but all the same righteousness is imputed to us through Jesus, not through us being righteous in our perfect works [.2 Corinthians 5:21]

I would say and pray that you need to keep on keeping on. Paul prayed for the thorn to be taken away but God told him 'HIS GRACE WAS SUFFICIENT' [2 Corinthians 12:7-10]. Depend on His grace. Don't stop seeking to be sober or free from the addiction, but don't stop serving God and others either.

May God's grace carry you and all of His children.

January 01 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

daniel s Supporter

I believe so, although I wouldn't hope to spend an entire life continuing with drug and alcohol abuse hoping to get into Heaven. I've had a problem with drugs and alcohol for around 20 years now; it’s not fun, and can feel like the opposite of Heaven. I was also born to parents who used drugs and alcohol, which caused me to be adopted at age 2 because they couldn't take care of me. 

As one saved by grace by the finished work of the cross, i can tell you drugs and alcohol are not pleasing to God. It will also make your walk with God miserable, for the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. (Galatians 5:17) I know I'm a sinner and wouldn't trust in anything other than the shed blood of Christ, being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6) 

Looking to walk in newness of life? It's possible in Christ We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4) I made it this far by the grace of God. Why stop now? Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen. (2 Peter 3:18) 

Well, it's time for me to start attending my 12-step Christian-based Celebrate Recovery Group again, I sure need all the support I can get. Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. (1 Corinthians 15:34)

October 30 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Paul York Supporter

I am currently struggling with alcohol addiction, to the point where I am practically disabled. I'm a member of a praise and worship team. I'm a guitar player and somewhat well-known locally. I feel like a hypocrite; my heartfelt relationship with Jesus is genuine, but I can't stop the drinking. I'm not giving up, but the Bible says that all drunkards have their place in the Lake of Fire. But on the other hand it says that he will never leave us or forsake us. When we accept Him, we are sealed and nothing can pry us from the hand of God. I pray constantly God will deliver me from my addiction. But I'm frustrated... alcoholism has cost me everything: jobs, wife, family, everything... so my question is, are the unsaved the ones that are spoken of, and not those who are saved?

December 31 2019 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Charles Okra-Gyabaah Supporter

I believe when a substance abuse becomes incurable, it becomes a curse. Curses are demonic and it is only Jesus who can remove curses. Any person with such an affliction needs deliverance. Otherwise during the rapture only true believers with the Holy Spirit in them would be caught up in the air with Jesus but not people with spirits that are different from Christ's. 
I had been in such a situation before until I got a total deliverance with TB Joshua. I am free and can now worship Jesus freely. Please visit www.emmanuel.tv

December 12 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report