Steps to Christ and the 12 Steps of Recovery

Sinner's Need of Christ

1. Honestly admit you're powerless

Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.

Repentance

2. Believe in God's power

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

3. Surrender to God's care

Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

4. Do a moral inventory of yourself

Lamentations 3:40 Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord

Confession

5. Admit to God, yourself, and others the nature of your wrongs

James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Consecration

6. Be willing to let God remove your defects of character

Isaiah 1:19 If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Faith and Acceptance

7. Humbly ask God to remove your shortcomings

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Test of Discipleship

8. Make a list of people you've harmed and be wiling to make amends

Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Growing Up Into Christ

9. Make amends, except when to do so would cause harm

Luke 6:31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

The Work and the Life

10. Continued personal inventory, promptly admitting wrongs

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

1 Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

A Knowledge of God, Privilege of Prayer, What To Do With Doubt

11. Pray for God's will and His power to carry it out

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Rejoicing in the Lord

12. Share your experience with others

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

What The Bible Says About The Mind

 2 Corinthians 4:1-4 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

2 Corinthians 3:14-18 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Philippians 2:5-8 (MEV)  Let this mind be in you all, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. But He emptied Himself, taking upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in the form of a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.

1 Peter 4:1-2 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ

Ephesians 4:21-24 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. 

Colossians 3:1-3 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Romans 8:5-8 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Matthew 22:37-39 37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

Hebrews 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Colossians 1:21-22 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight

Philippians 4:6-8 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

The Freedom Found In Jesus

 Freedom From Sin's Penalty and Power

Sin is the absence of faith and disagrees with what God's law says. (Romans 14:23, 1 John 3:4). When we live merely through the flesh, our desires will only rise in opposition to God's law, no matter how hard we try to keep it and we'll only be left condemned to death (Romans 7:5-15). The law can only point out sin, it can't make us righteous (Romans 3:20). The power to do right isn't found in ourselves, but in Christ (Romans 7:16-18, 8:2-4). We can only become righteous by faith in Jesus (Galatians 3:24). God changes us from the inside out and works in us to both the desire and the doing of His will (Ezekiel 36:25-27, Philippians 2:13).

It's by receiving what Christ already did for us that God sets us free from sin's power and its penalty of death so that we can live in the Spirit instead of the flesh (Colossians 1:13, Colossians 2:11-15, Romans 8:1-12). To be in the Spirit means the Holy Spirit dwells in you (Romans 8:9). The Holy Spirit also will guide you, bringing God’s word to your memory and helping you overcome temptation (John 14:26, Isaiah 30:21, Matthew 4:3-4, Romans 8:13).

God Accepts You As His Child

We are all God's offspring, for He created us and sustains our very life (Acts 17:26-28). Since God made us in the womb and even now, He sees us as wonderful and precious (Psalm 139:13-18). Though we've all wandered away like prodigals, God still sees us as His children (Luke 15:11-32, 1 John 3:1). When we see God's love for us in contrast to the selfishness of sin, this leads us to abandon sin and and live for God instead (Romans 5:8, Romans 2:4, Luke 15:17-19). God doesn't even wait for you to ask for forgiveness to forgive you, His heart is already moved with compassion for you even when you were afar off (Luke 15:20). We are to live this reality of forgiveness by extending it toward others (Matthew 6:12, 14-15). 

Passed From Death Unto Life

We used to live in the “far country” or realm of sin and death, working for the father of lies, but we’ve been brought back life by faith in God’s word. (Luke 15:13-16, John 8:43-44, John 5:24,  Ephesians 2:1-10, Luke 15:24). As we abide in the word, the truth as it is in Jesus sets us free from sin (John 8:31-36, Ephesians 4:17-24). By faith in the word, we’re given the power to live as children of God (John 1:12, Luke 15:22). Faith is what enables us to receive God's gifts and by receiving Jesus, we receive the life that comes from Him (Mark 11:24, 1 John 5:11-12). Jesus wasn't given to us to make God love us, He was given to us because He already loved us (John 3:16).

Raised Into New Life

Death came to us in Adam: the First Man who is from the earth, but life comes to us in Christ: the Second Man who is from heaven (1 Corinthians 15:22, 47). In Christ, you were baptized into His death, your old self was crucified so that you should no longer be a slave of sin (Romans 6:3, 6). In Christ you were also resurrected into new life, you're a new creation. (Romans 6:4, 2 Corinthians 5:17). Set your mind on what you receive from above in Christ, putting on the "new man", reflecting Christ's character to others around you (Ephesians 1:3, Colossians 3:1-17). 

If We Stumble, Jesus Helps Us Get Back Up

As you've received Christ, "so walk in Him" and abound in faith with thanksgiving (Colossians 2:6-7). As long as we're walking in the light of God's love by extending it to others, there's no reason for us to stumble (1 John 2:10). But if we do stumble, Jesus defends us and helps us get back up (1 John 2:1-2, Proverbs 24:16). But as we get to know Jesus more and more personally, the power of God's grace in our lives will help us to even overcome those things that cause us to stumble (2 Peter 1:2-10, Titus 2:11-14). "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy," Jude 1:24

Dead To Sin, Alive To God

When we live in the reality of grace, we no longer continue living in sin because we're dead to it and live to God instead (Romans 6:1-2, 11). Everyday we are to live this reality: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

Your Identity in Christ

Spiritual Blessings Found in Christ