Scripture tells us we are made alive with Christ even when wee are dead in transgression/sinEph2:5, and our righteousness is faith in Christ. And I take the point, an alcoholic could be instantly delivered , or for another it may take time. In saying that though, I would not feel comfortable myself with the idea a person could remain an alcoholic for years. Sometimes they get drunk and sometimes they do not(is that what you mean, or as they are an alcoholic they always get drunk, not sure exactly what you mean?)
In my view, God starts with the things he considers most important that need changing once you get saved, I would think drunkenness would be very high on the list
I don't think we can limit it to one thing as here.
We tend to focus the big ones, but neglect the smaller ones.
Like gossip, lying, gluttony (smaller ones)
To be perfectly honest I myself am comfortable that a person who struggles with a particular sin/sins for a long time after placing their faith in Jesus.
I find your following quote interesting.
In my view, God starts with the things he considers most important that need changing once you get saved, I would think drunkenness would be very high on the list
I am going to give my thoughts on the above post. It's just my thoughts and assumptions on the quote. And I acknowledge that I could be wrong and I'm not being accusatory because your quote is quite limited as to an issue (it could be any issue) that is very high on the list of God.
Hopefully I can explain it based on personal experience.
If you don't mind me saying so this is your opinion and thoughts.
You seem to be placing focus on the effect and not the cause.
You rightly say that we are made alive in Christ even though we were dead in our transgressions and our righteousness is in Christ through faith.
Even though we are made alive in Christ whilst in our transgressions (sin) it does not necessarily mean that such sins suddenly stop or a time stamp is placed on them.
In a sense I believe we can judge a person who confesses faith with a sin(s) issue.
The one who has genuine faith but has sin(s) issues will hate it and want to stop it, will cry out to God for help.
The one who does not have genuine faith will not give two hoots about it and use the grace of Jesus to sin. Which we know Paul addressed.
But we will not know until we come alongside in discipleship to see below what is going on in the person's heart.
So my experience. As a believer.
Severe gambling problem.
It was so bad that I found myself gambling and did not know I was.
One minute sat at my desk, an hour later I've blown 1,000s on fruit machines.
It got so bad I asked God to take my life.
I have a wife and 4 kids. I knew he would take care of them.
I even tried to total my car many times. As you can see it did not happen.
I just wanted to die and know where I was going. Heaven or hell.
Fact is I was living hell on earth.
Severe gambling addiction.
I prayed so hard for release, tried to stop. I even sprinkled oil over the doors of the places I went to. Resolved when I cried myself to work not to gamble, pleading and begging God for release. Afraid to wake up.
I stopped gambling 8 years ago at the age of 43. Started at 13.
I basically stopped over a period of a few weeks. And I have never had an urge since.
Why was that?
God had to deal with the cause of the effect.
What was the effect?
I had a shocking upbringing.
I was meant to be aborted, my mum was on the table. But she said no.
She was bought up a Muslim. Shame on her my grandad said.
She was rejected by her dad.
She blamed me as she bought me up.
She was an alcoholic.
Married many times.
Beat me harshly.
Called me names that would make a sailor blush.
Left me alone to look after my two brothers whilst she pissed it up.
Did not come to visit me when I was saved from death by 30 seconds when my appendix burst.
Threw me out at the age of 13.
Didn't speak for a couple of years.
Was fostered by a Christian couple.
Spent the next 4 years being sexually abused by the foster dad.
When I spoke to my foster mum about it, it turns out he went to prison when they run a a children's home. He promised he would not try again. But he carried on.
I did not have the heart to tell her.
I spoke to my real mum.
The next thing I know the C.I.D arrived at the house of my foster parents.
When my foster mum opened the door and asked to speak to me, she knew why.
She begged me not to say anything.
So I was led to police car and asked the question. Is he sexually abusing you?
No I had 3 choices.
If yes then I would have to back to my mother, if I did not want to then off to a children's home.
If no then I could stay there and still be abused but have 3 meals a day.
That was more certain than the other two choices. Birthday remembered.
If I went back to mum would the pattern repeat itself.
Sorry for the long post but gonna finish it now.
For my addiction to stop God had to deal with the cause of the effect.
I needed healing, I needed to forgive.
In fact I was at my abusers bedside when he died and sorted out his estate.
My mum and I have a great relationship, she even tells me that she loves me.
For 40 years she never told me that, unless pissed.
So Jesus healed me.
So for me that is high on his list and not the gambling or any other sin and baggage that we have when we come to Jesus.
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