A dangerous question.

...if you're willing to ask it.

“A theology that isn’t livable isn’t helpful.” — Joel Muddamalle

I have a big fear. Something that haunts me. OK, I have many fears that haunt me. But this one has come up a lot recently. I want to explain it to you, and then I need to let you know what I’ve found recently that has helped me with this fear. I think it will help you in your relationship with God.

First, here’s the fear: People will believe I am all theory and no practice. They will find what I’m talking about to have a lot of great soundbites, but not be particularly helpful. Great for talking, not great for walking.

What do I mean? Well, as I’ve launched this new nonprofit ministry (called Veritas Recovery), a hallmark of it is what is known as Gospel-centered recovery. Summed up in one phrase, it’s “Aim for Jesus, get sobriety thrown in.” Reorient your life around him, and everything else falls into place.

I believe that to my core. Not only is it how I finally found relief from alcoholism, but since my book came out last fall I’ve been flooded with messages from others who have found that to be true, as well as those who want it to be true.

But…

As I travel around talking about this concept, as I meet with people in person and online, and as I write about it, I can’t help but hear one retort the loudest:

“Jon, that’s all good and well for you. And I even think you’re probably right. But what does it actually mean to shoot for Jesus? How do I do that, especially when I’m craving alcohol (or some other thing) and can’t put it down? How does that help me when I’ve lost my job?”

Maybe the answer is simple to you. “Get professional help. Find a new affection. Open your Bible. Go to church. Look for something new.” Those are not wrong. But when you’re talking to someone who is literally drunk and weeping because they don’t want to be, telling them to open their Bible is trite.

The words of my friend Joel Muddamalle, PhD eat at me in the best way as well: “A theology that isn’t livable isn’t helpful.” And then there’s the quote that is so popular in secular recovery circles: “The quickest way to get drunk is to go to church.” What’s that mean? It’s a clever dig to say that historically the church doesn’t offer practical help for those struggling with addiction. It’s filled with too many “Just pray more” platitudes. And it’s true.

That’s not what I’m about, though. That’s not what I want for myself or this ministry. I want to present a Gospel-centered recovery message that is livable, helpful, and sustainable. Does that involve prayer? Yes. Bible reading? Absolutely. Abiding with Christ? You better believe it.

But what does it actually mean and look like to shoot for Jesus and get sobriety thrown in? What does it mean to abide in Christ when you can’t even think about getting through an entire day without beer, wine, or porn? How can we aim for Jesus when we can’t even pay the bills?

Someone struggling with drinking recently told me, “This life sucks so much and I hate God more and more!”

What do we do with that?

Enter C.S. Lewis.

I think Lewis offers us one of the best examples of making our theology livable when it comes to not only Gospel-centered recovery, but also the Christian life in general. And it all centers on one important question.

In his masterpiece, Mere Christianity, Lewis takes time to explore what it actually looks like to love God. How do we actually love him? And what if we just don’t “feel” it?

He has an answer:

[People] are told they ought to love God. They cannot find any such feeling in themselves. What are they to do? The answer is the same as before. Act as if you did. Do not sit trying to manufacture feelings. Ask yourself, “If I were sure that I loved God, what would I do?” When you have found the answer, go and do it.¹

I think that’s not only beautiful, but that’s practical. That’s livable. Are you struggling with abiding in Christ? With loving God and wanting to be with him, which creates the “expulsive power of a new affection” as the old preacher Thomas Chalmers explains? I mean, join the club! 🙋‍♂️But what Lewis gives us is a very simple way to combat that.

If you were sure that you loved God—and if I might add that he loved you and that by extension he was real—what would you do? How would you act? What things would you practice? Whatever those are, go do them! That’s how you start abiding in Christ. That’s how you start stirring your affections for him. That’s how other things start falling away.

Friend, I know what it’s like to not know where to start. I remember when I first gave up alcohol I would literally pace around my living room or garage once my wife went to bed. See, that’s historically when I would really start pouring the bourbon. I’d drink until I couldn’t and that would put me to sleep. I didn’t know what to do, then, to get some shut-eye without alcohol, let alone abide in Christ.

And while I didn’t have this quote from Lewis in my arsenal at that time, in many ways I did exactly what he suggests here. I just started taking God at his word. I read the Psalms. I cried out. I cursed him out at times like I saw David do. I started acting like I would if all of “this” was true.

And he met me there. Not in an instant, but in faithfulness.

This week, then, I want you to answer Lewis’s question—especially if you’re struggling with where to start.

“If I were sure that I loved God, what would I do?” When you have found the answer, go and do it.

And then… Go. And do it.

Watch what happens. Not instantly, but intimately.

Photo by Matt Artz on Unsplash

1. I’m grateful to Gospel Centered Discipleship for drawing my attention to this quote over the weekend. Read their article here.