His Blood Is Efficacious

Because His blood is efficacious, post-pornographic victorious living is possible!

The word efficacy, whether in our vocabulary or not, most certainly lives in our thought processes. The capacity for producing a desired result or effect — effectiveness — can puzzle the best of us. Self-efficacy is one of the change processes that assists an individual during their recovery continuum.1 For anyone wanting to overcome unwanted behavior, hope hangs on self-efficacy.

Because of Them We Can

Perusing LinkedIn, I came across a post shared by a friend and colleague. “Because of Them We Can” captivated my mind. The links followed were very inspirational. Of the lives lived before us, it is true that they serve as motivation for the journey. Knowing that others have made it speaks powerfully, “I can make it also.”

A Cloud of Witnesses

We are encouraged to reflect on the experiences of others in Hebrews 12:1, 2:

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Look at Him

Nevertheless, while looking back, this text encourages us to look forward. We are admonished, in the language given to a mother ready to give birth, to keep our eyes on a focal point. One of the greatest hindrances to my overcoming was focusing on the problem. Every attention that is given to the snare magnifies the snare. Look unto Jesus instead! The most significant victories came while keeping my eyes on the Victor.

The Victor, Jesus, is the “author and finisher of our faith.” Delayed gratification abounded. Suffering embraced. Humiliation endured. Blood shed.

“We must not limit the power of the Holy One of Israel. He wants us to come to Him just as we are, sinful and polluted. His blood is efficacious. I entreat you not to grieve His Spirit by continuing in sin. If you fall under temptation, do not become discouraged. This promise comes ringing down along the line to our time: “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” Lift Him Up, p. 341

Let your hope hang on the efficacy of the blood of Jesus. Faith, indeed, is the victory. “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4

1Velasquez, M. M., Maurer, G. G., Crouch, C., & DiClemente, C. C. (2001). Group Treatment for Substance Abuse : A Stages-of-Change Therapy Manual. New York: The Guilford Press.