Broken or Crushed: That is the question...
Brokenness that leads to repentance is necessary, and far better than the alternative.
Matthew 21:44 (Just before this Jesus had described Himself as the Rock)
"And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him."
You, who willingly fall on the Rock of Ages (Jesus) will be broken. You will see your sin for what it is and what He had to do for your forgiveness. You will break on Him - the only one who can put you back together again THE WAY HE WANTS YOU TO BE.
IF YOU REFUSE TO BE BROKEN the Rock of Ages will fall on you and you will be crushed into a fine powder - quite possibly to never be reassembled.
Which will you choose?
Choosing brokenness and repentance is tough. It means you have to take an honest look at your own heart. Most of us don't want to do this because it means we may - and quite possibly will - have to admit we've been wrong at some point. Not too many of us want to do that. We'd rather live in our offense, anger, un-forgiveness, bitterness and pride. Not realizing - or not wanting to realize that we've opened wide the door into our hearts for the enemy of our soul to reek havoc in our lives.
BUT, if we will confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. New flash: anger, hurt, un-forgiveness, offendedness, and pride IS UNRIGHTEOUSNESS if it is harbored in our hearts!
I stand guilty of harboring - nurturing, even - these things. It's easy to do. It's what our human nature wants us to do. It is also CONTRARY to the Spirit of God living in us. When we find ourselves here, we have to make a choice as to whether or not we are going to allow it to continue.
Choosing to let it continue is willfully choosing the path to destruction, and puts our souls in jeopardy. The Bible is very clear about this. However, choosing to not stay there is freeing! It breaks the barriers between you and God and you and your brothers and sisters. It is a challenge, even a fight sometimes - because you have an enemy seeking to destroy you! He's not going to let go easily (especially, if you've allowed him to set up residence for a long time!). BUT - GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN YOU THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD. Choosing this path renews the power of the Holy Spirit in your life making you able to be an over-comer, and much stronger because of where you have been.
Choose wisely, dear one.
Prayer:
Lord, I come to You willing to be broken in order to eradicate from my heart all the hurt, un-forgiveness, anger, pride and bitterness. I'm sorry for harboring and nurturing it. Forgive me, Lord. Renew and restore my heart. In Jesus Name. Thank you, Lord.
Matthew 21:44 (Just before this Jesus had described Himself as the Rock)
"And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him."
You, who willingly fall on the Rock of Ages (Jesus) will be broken. You will see your sin for what it is and what He had to do for your forgiveness. You will break on Him - the only one who can put you back together again THE WAY HE WANTS YOU TO BE.
IF YOU REFUSE TO BE BROKEN the Rock of Ages will fall on you and you will be crushed into a fine powder - quite possibly to never be reassembled.
Which will you choose?
Choosing brokenness and repentance is tough. It means you have to take an honest look at your own heart. Most of us don't want to do this because it means we may - and quite possibly will - have to admit we've been wrong at some point. Not too many of us want to do that. We'd rather live in our offense, anger, un-forgiveness, bitterness and pride. Not realizing - or not wanting to realize that we've opened wide the door into our hearts for the enemy of our soul to reek havoc in our lives.
BUT, if we will confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. New flash: anger, hurt, un-forgiveness, offendedness, and pride IS UNRIGHTEOUSNESS if it is harbored in our hearts!
I stand guilty of harboring - nurturing, even - these things. It's easy to do. It's what our human nature wants us to do. It is also CONTRARY to the Spirit of God living in us. When we find ourselves here, we have to make a choice as to whether or not we are going to allow it to continue.
Choosing to let it continue is willfully choosing the path to destruction, and puts our souls in jeopardy. The Bible is very clear about this. However, choosing to not stay there is freeing! It breaks the barriers between you and God and you and your brothers and sisters. It is a challenge, even a fight sometimes - because you have an enemy seeking to destroy you! He's not going to let go easily (especially, if you've allowed him to set up residence for a long time!). BUT - GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN YOU THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD. Choosing this path renews the power of the Holy Spirit in your life making you able to be an over-comer, and much stronger because of where you have been.
Choose wisely, dear one.
Prayer:
Lord, I come to You willing to be broken in order to eradicate from my heart all the hurt, un-forgiveness, anger, pride and bitterness. I'm sorry for harboring and nurturing it. Forgive me, Lord. Renew and restore my heart. In Jesus Name. Thank you, Lord.
