A to J: Addicted to Jesus By: Pastor Alvin T. McNair Adapted from the message entitled “How Bad Do You Want Him?”
Many of us are not only acquainted with, but also have an experience related to, addiction. Often, it is not mere personal experience, but something we have also witnessed in the life of someone else. Dictionary.com defines addiction as “to habituate or abandon (oneself) to something compulsively or obsessively.” An addict is defined as having a “physiological or psychological dependence” on some “activity, habit, or substance.” Simply put, addiction means to give oneself over to a strong habit.
Addicts are not simply committed to a certain objective. Typically, addicts experience a strong sense of desperation and are driven to great lengths to satisfy their desires. During drug recovery, we would see people so desperate for their next high that they would steal, sell their car, and even sell their babies. People can be so desperate for a relationship that they allow themselves to be physically, emotionally, and mentally abused and misused.
People can be so desperate to obtain certain degrees that they will work three or four jobs to pay their way through school. People can be so desperate to get ahead that they will abandon their family and friends, and risk their own physical health for promotion and advancement. Yet, when it comes to our own souls, we may not find ourselves having such dependence.
1 Corinthians 16:15-16 states “I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas…and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.” Addiction can be further defined as “to occupy (oneself) with or involve (oneself) in something habitually or compulsively.”
When we look at an addict, we can see that they work hard to stay there. They go through the process to get whatever they can to make sure they can ensure their high. That is how we have to be. We have to be like Esther and say “If I perish, let me perish…” We have to be like Job and say “I’m going to wait ‘til my change comes…” We have to get to the point that we will say no matter what comes my way, I’m determined to walk with Jesus all the way.
The process of addiction begins with exposure. You will never get addicted until you get exposed. Sometimes we expose ourselves to everything but Christ. You have to be in an environment where you can be exposed to who God is and people of God so you can get what God has for you. Some people had no intention of doing what they are doing, but they got exposed to what everyone else was doing. The right person in your life can change your life. The wrong person in your life can change your life.
When you get the right exposure, you learn what it’s like to get a contact. You don’t have to be doing it. You can get around people who are and you will get a contact. You can get just as high off the contact as you can off the exposure. But not if you are not connected to the right source or connected to the right people.
If you are going to get addicted to Jesus, you have to have the right contact. Come out from among them and be ye separate. You can’t get God hanging out with those who don’t want God. You need people who want God as bad as you. When you get the right contact you are on your way.
Once you find out that God can get you high, that He can bring down the high places, that no one else can do you like Jesus, that He’s a friend that will stick closer than a brother, that He will never leave you or forsake you, that He can supply all your needs according to His riches and glory, now you can indulge. If you drink this water, you will never thirst again. If you eat of this bread, you will never hunger again. With Christ, you will never get a bad product. With Christ, you will never overdose. You can take all you want, and still have room for more. It will cost you nothing, but will give you everlasting life.
How bad do you want Him? Do you want Him as bad as the woman with an issue of blood? To press your way in spite of the crowd, in spite of your condition, in spite of situations and circumstances….
Are you willing to get rid of folks that mean you no good? Are you willing to turn from your wicked ways, seek God, humble yourself and pray? Are you willing to stop lying? Are you willing to stop backbiting?
How bad do you want Jesus? Would you go through changes? Would you stand in line to get what He has for you? Would you go through dangerous situations to achieve what He said you could have? How bad do you want Him? How much does He mean to you. Is He worth more than your hook up? Do you want Him enough to do right and trust Him? Do you want Him enough to tell the person in your life that you will not go there anymore?
If you lose your life, you’ll find it, but if you find your life, you will lose it.
Do you want Him bad enough to turn off the TV and spend time reading the word? Do you want Him bad enough to turn down your plate and go into your prayer closet? Do you want Him bad enough that you will submit your body as a living sacrifice and render your service to the ministry?
Are you willing to give up what you have to get what He has for you? Are you willing to give up a boyfriend? Are you willing to give up a fiancé’? Are you willing to pay your tithes? Are you willing to make your way to Bible Study?
Get A to J. Get addicted to Jesus.
