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
Hopefully by this point in your journey you have been able to witness first-hand the amazing transformation that can happen when someone allows God to turn the ashes of their life into something beautiful. If you haven’t been able to witness this type of change in yourself or others, stick around- it will happen.
The key to true transformation in Jesus is not whether one is worthy enough, whether they have tried enough, or whether they have enough money. The only requirement is that one must go to Him and allow Him to change them from the inside out. Change is not possible if we don’t let God in our hearts.
When we say “yes” to God, we are opening ourselves up to miracles beyond our imagination or comprehension.
Look, the highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the Lord your God-Deuteronomy 10:14
Yield myself to God
This is principle 8 in it’s entirety- “Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and by my words.” We start by saying “yes” to God, then continue to say “yes” to the ways He chooses to use us for His glory.
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. -1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Nothing that we have or are is of our own doing- nothing truly belongs to us. God gives us the very breath in our lungs and every other thing we can think of. Since everything we have belongs to Him, we must be willing to hold it all loosely, allowing Him to both give and take away.
Example is what is important
The last thing anyone wants is to see someone talking the talk but not walking the walk. No one will take your testimony seriously if you don’t live in a way that honors Jesus.
Many people stop short at this part because they have been hurt by people who claim to love and follow Jesus, but their lives show no evidence of a relationship with Him. However, there is hope.
If you have been hurt by such people, I want you to know that you are not alone. We all make mistakes and we all fall short in our walk with Jesus. Some of us follow Him more closely than others, while some claim to follow Him but actually don’t at all. Be sure to surround yourself with genuine Christ-followers and you will see a difference. Those who truly love Jesus and who love others will make mistakes, but it is their response to these mistakes that makes all the difference.
In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. An you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us. -Titus 2:6-8
If you feel pressured to be perfect because others are watching you, I encourage you stop that mindset in its tracks. No one is perfect. Just because someone loves Jesus and is following Him doesn’t mean that they are perfect. It is how they deal with those imperfections that counts. It is the development of spiritual fruit in their lives, the love and compassion with which they treat others, and the lifelong dedication to Jesus that will show others what it means to be at true follower of Him.
Serve others as Jesus Christ did
Once you’ve completed the steps and have gone through the recovery material, it is time to consider how you can begin to serve others. There are many ways to serve others, both in the recovery community and beyond.
God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. -1 Peter 4:10
Here are just a few examples of ways you can help in the recovery community:
- Be an accountability partner
- Be a sponsor
- Become a greeter
- Help with meal or refreshments
- Help with music
- Help with advertising
- Become a small group leader
- Invite someone
Here are a few examples of ways you can help in your church:
- Pass out bulletins or greet people as they arrive
- Help set up chairs, food, or refreshments
- Volunteer to do work around the building
- Offer to make meals for those in need
Finally, here are a few examples of ways you can help in your community:
- Attend other recovery groups to create relationships and help spread the Gospel
- Volunteer at a food pantry or soup kitchen
- Volunteer at a homeless shelter
- Gather supplies or help organize a food drive for the homeless or people in transition
- Offer services free of charge to the elderly, such as cleaning or running errands
