Tamara – Page 63 – REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES

THE TWELVE LAWS OF LIFE RECOVERY

Each month we’re looking at a requirement that guides us to a specific result which will fill our lives with love, gratitude and serenity. Each of the Twelve Laws of Life Recovery are aligned with one of the Twelve Steps of Life Recovery. As you go through the study you will see how they work together.

THE LAW OF CONNECTION

REQUIREMENT: connection

RESULT: love

Let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love…Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. ~ 1 John 4:7-8, 11-12

“If you fulfill the requirement of making healthy connections, you will find that your life is full of more love.” ~ The Twelve Laws of Life Recovery

We all long to be loved

Even though we are all looking for love most of us don’t realize that to receive love requires making connections. For some, that’s too much work. Many people choose to live lonely, loveless lives rather than having to connect with other people.

unhealthy connections

Some of us grew up in homes where there were lots of rules and little emotional connection at all. Then there are those who are trapped in abusive relationships thinking that what they experience is love, when it is not love at all. What is the solution to both? God of course!

Transformed with Healthy Connections

We can transform our life by building deep healthy connections with other people. This may mean we have to forgive someone who has hurt us. Or it may require us to sever a toxic relationship. It may also mean reaching out to someone you wouldn’t normally be with. God may lead you to a group of people who will return the healthy connection of love to you.

Love God – Love People

And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law. ~ Mark 12:33

It’s important that we are intentional about deepening our connection with God. To do that we must first acknowledge God. Take time to listen. Meditate on God’s Word. Talk to Him through prayer. As we become more closely connected to God, we will naturally share the love we’ve received with those around us. Then we will be more connected to them too.

The more love we experience, the deeper and more valuable our connections with God and with others will become. ~ The Twelve Laws of Life Recovery

REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING VARIOUS INSPIRATIONAL CHRISTIAN MEDIA.

On the second Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying Andrew Wommack’s life-changing book: GRACE: The Power of the Gospel. In this study we dig into the New Testament book of Romans — Apostle Paul’s masterpiece on the subject of grace. I hope you will get a copy of Andrew’s book and join me for this study. Today we highlight Chapter Three.

Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. ~ Romans 3:19-20

THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW

No matter who we are, religious or not, we are all guilty in God’s eyes. Our religion won’t bring us closer to God, but it does make us more accountable. Because we should know better than the person who hasn’t learned God’s standards.

WhO THE LAW IS FOR

In Romans Paul is writing to the Jewish Christians who thought that before the Gentiles (non Jews) could become believers in Christ they needed to convert to Judaism and observe the laws. But the law was not give to the Gentiles. It was given to the religious Jews only.

The Law Shuts every mouth

The law reveals our sin and how guilty we are before God. It shuts every mouth from comparing and making excuses. Fearing God’s wrath and our knowledge of sin might motivate us to stop sinning. But it can’t cleanse us from the sin or bring us forgiveness.

But God has a way to make people right with him without the law. And God has now shown us that way which the law and the prophets told us about. God makes people right with himself through their faith in Jesus Christ. This is true for all who believe in Christ, because all are the same. All people have sinned and are not good enough for God’s glory. ~ Romans 3:21-23

The Law Points to Jesus

All the Old Testament Law and Prophets point to the Eternal One. The law was just a temporary way of dealing with the people’s sins until Jesus could come. The only way anyone can become righteous without the law is through Jesus. To be right with God apart from the law was a radical concept for the Jewish believers.

Under the Law we are All the same

With the law God’s raised the standard so high that no one could meet in in their own merit. This shows us our need for a Savior–Jesus Christ. We might follow the law well but it won’t effect our right standing with God. His holy and perfect righteousness can only come through Christ. None of us can measure up to Jesus!

So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. ~ Romans 3:28

Conclusion

Fearing God might encourage someone to stop sinful behavior. But it won’t clean the wrong motives in their heart. The law may get people’s attention but it doesn’t change our hearts. It is only God’s mercy and goodness that brings us to a place of real repentance and change for the right reasons. None of us can measure up to what Jesus has done for us. By faith in Christ we are made right with God not by obeying the law.