HOPING TO BECOME AN ADDICT?

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5: 17 (NIV)

We are sometimes challenged to examine the addictions that may be present in our lives: too much TV? Smoking? Overindulgence in food or liquor? Cursing? Perhaps overly interested in pornography? All of these are considered as negative practices in our society. In fact, the word addict has come to have a very negative connotation. When we hear the term ‘addict’, we usually conger up an image of a drug user or of other undesirable behaviors, but is there another definition of ‘addict’. According to my dictionary the word has a secondary definition: ‘A devoted adherent or fan’.

If we accept this second definition, we can examine more acceptable behaviors: such as the addiction to caring for others, seeking opportunities to assist our fellow humans in a variety of ways, supporting our local church or charity both with word and deed, and a continuing desire to become more Christ-like in all the areas of our lives. Wouldn’t these be positive addictions that every believer would like to acquire?

Yes, to be in Christ is a new creation and this creation is brought about by the Spirit dwelling in each of us, the Agent of regeneration and the Giver of divine birth. This new creation is ours for the asking and with the Spirit’s guidance and strength we can truly become addicted to fulfilling God’s work wherever we might be.