Faith in Christ Requires Work

Finding recovery isn’t simple and it isn’t easy. It is the most worthwhile thing anyone who is addicted to anything can do. I find it interesting when people say things like, “I thought it would be easier”, “I just have to have faith and it will all be better”, and other similar comments. For each of those comments, I remind the individual that there is a lot of work in recovery and in being a disciple of Christ.

In James’s epistle, he states the following: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:17-18) James is very clearly teaching us that our actions and thoughts should reflect our faith in Christ. If our actions and statements do not align, there is something amiss.

What does this mean for a recovering addict? It means when we say ‘I believe in Christ’, our actions should align with that statement. Our thoughts should change to align with Christ. Our words should change to align with Christ. Our actions should change to align with Christ. If our faith is truly in Christ, then there should be a transformation within ourselves that naturally aligns with Christ.

When our thoughts, words, and actions do not align with Christ, then we repent. We go to our Heavenly Father, in the name of Christ, and sincerely repent. The prophet Isaiah recorded, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) Repentance can literally take us from feeling the absolute worst to feeling the absolute best. Why? Our Savior, Jesus Christ, already suffered for our sins and only asks that we repent.

That’s the beauty of having faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement. Our Father in Heaven foresaw that His children would make mistakes, so He set in motion a plan to save His children. This plan required Jesus to lay down his life on our behalf. All he asks in return is a contrite mind and a broken heart. If we can do that, we will be forgiven for our sins.

All of this takes work! Do not think for a moment that addiction recovery is a walk in the park. It’s not, but it is the best thing any addict can do to draw closer to the Savior, Jesus Christ.

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