Principle 8: Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and by my words.
Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires. -Matthew 5:10
Step 12: Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. -Galatians 6:1
As we mature in our recovery and our relationship with God, there comes a time when we must choose how to spend our time. God has called all believers to spread His Good News to others through what many refer to as the "Great Commission."
Found in Matthew 28:16-20, Jesus tells His disciples to go and make disciples and teach them what they had learned from Jesus. As believers, we are given this same task.
Matthew 10:8 says,
Freely you have received; freely give.In Principle 8 we are advised to yield (give) ourselves to God to be used to bring His Good News to others through our example (actions) and our words (what we say, share, and even post on social media).
God first
Our recovery is not possible without God. Our lives are not our own- they were bought with the price of Jesus' very life. It is only when we place Him first in our lives that we can truly experience the freedom, joy, and good things He has in store for us.
He gave us His Son- will He not also freely give us all things? -Romans 8:32
"I" becomes "we"
Two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively. If one of them falls down, the other can help him up. But if someone is alone... there is no one to help him... Two people can resist an attack that would defeat one person alone. -Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Life is not meant to be lived in isolation, and the road to recovery is not meant to be traveled alone. There is no room for selfishness in the life of a believer.
Pride comes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. -Proverbs 16:18
Victories shared
As believers, we are united in our faith. We share each other's hurts and we share each other's victories. When one believer shares their story and what God is doing in their life, it can be a powerful message of hope for others who may be experiencing that very thing.
Give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom all help comes! He helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God. -2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Example of your actions
Our salvation is not determined by our actions. However, our actions can serve as a thermometer of our faith. It is possible to give to others without love. If we truly are believers in Jesus Christ, however, it is impossible to love without giving.
My children, love must not be a matter of words or talk; it must be genuine, and show itself in action. -1 John 3:18
Additional Reading:
Giving is not Just a Season
Maximizing God's Investment
