Lasting Freedom

In his testimony about freedom from alcoholism, Mike Quarles of Freedom in Christ Ministries tells about trying to solve his problems by drinking them away. He had been a pastor who was given to a legalistic view of ministry, which led him to become harsh and unloving. As he said later, "I felt I had failed God, my wife and children, and my church." As a result, he ended up quitting the ministry and turned to alcohol in an effort to escape how he was feeling on the inside. In time, Mike became a full-fledged alcoholic and even though he tried from time to time to quit, it seemed as if nothing worked. In fact, his testimony reveals a list of 30 different methods he tried in order to stop drinking. He tried everything from Twelve Steps Programs to Treatment Centers and AA, but nothing seemed to work.

The turning point in Mike's life came when he realized that the issue was not "WHAT will set me free?" (Programs, treatments, methods, etc), but "WHO will set me free?" He said, "Whenever we commit ourselves to a program, rules, methods, principles, etc. to perform, we put ourselves under law and the law is what gives sin power in our lives" (see 1 Cor. 15:56). Mike came face to face with Romans 7:24 where Paul writes his anguished cry: "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?" (NIV). What was Paul's answer? "Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 7:25, NIV). Mike said, "There is no possibility of freedom, peace, victory and joy without coming to the end of self." And that is exactly what happened to Mike. He came to the end of his own efforts and turned to Christ who alone is the answer to any situation.

Freedom is always found in Jesus Christ! While various self-help programs may be of help to define some of the problems that people face, the only way to lasting peace and freedom - the only way to Christlikeness - is to give ourselves over to Christ and allow Him to fill us with His divine life and presence. Truly, He is able to give us lasting freedom!