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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
Who in their right mind would desire to be broken (as in experiencing crushing sorrow and disappointment), which can lead to incapacity and ineffectiveness? Yet could it be to our benefit to feel deep sorrow and remorse for our short-comings and sin, which can then lead to a subduing of our rebellious instincts and the development of real capabilities? ( 2 Corinthians 7:10,11) Is that what Jesus was alluding to when he characterized people as blessed who were mournfully poor in spirit; comparing them to the meek and merciful, the pure in heart and peacemakers – those who hunger and thirst after a righteousness not of their own making? I believe therein lies the key, the mournfully poor in spirit being so at the realization that they are personally inadequate to properly order their lives outside God’s will; the meek and merciful reflecting this understanding as they respond to those around them who search for that same sense of worth in something beyond themselves; the pure and peaceable ones going out of their way to influence the world with the loving direction they’ve found in the person of Jesus Christ, leading them to the ultimate source of nourishment and completion in the risen Lord. ( Matthew 5:3-9)
Many approach God’s throne of grace today with a sense of confidence and even entitlement born of ignorance and arrogance, promoting their own worth and salvation as their right – rather than realizing their need of rescue and anticipating the help only God can give.
The Psalmist declared that God never took real and lasting pleasure in sacrifice or burnt offerings, but that the sacrifice God actually takes note of is a broken spirit and contrite heart. ( Psalm 51:16,17) The sacrificial system, instituted by God, was intended rather to lead people to a point of recognition of right and wrong and their inability to remain faithful to a calling of holiness in comparison to God. The Law’s intent was to teach them who they really were and what they genuinely needed to become; being fixed only possible after they were convinced of their brokenness. From the early stages of Israel’s development into a people of God ( Exodus 19:5,6), a common thread was woven into the moral fabric of their belief system. “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice,…” 1 Samuel 15:22 “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” Hosea 6:6 (See then Matthew 9:13 and Mark 12:33)
God was not being callous or sadistic in calling for and bringing about brokenness in his people, promising numerous times to heal and save those who were crushed and broken in spirit ( Psalm 34:18), yet redemption came only to those who fully understood the extent of their lostness – those who sought him out and totally surrendered their will to his. In fact, Jesus quoted Psalm 147:3 in announcing the purpose of his earthly ministry, saying ‘The Spirit of God is on me, anointing me to preach good news to the poor, sending me to bind up the broken-hearted, proclaiming freedom to the captives (of the world and it’s sin) and release for the prisoners from the darkness of its consequences.’ (My paraphrase) Luke 4:18,19
God’s eternal purpose has always been to save and redeem mankind but that can only happen as we recognize our need and respond to his offer; the good news of the gospel being predicated on our understanding of the bad news concerning sin’s consequences and the separation from God it entails. In fact, two of the primary rituals of both Judaism and Christianity – one patterned on the other – are Passover, which is a remembrance of past enslavement enabling the Jews to fully appreciate the freedom achieved through God’s intervention and the Lord’s Supper, reminding us of Christ’s death so we can fully appreciate the depth of God’s love and through it our deliverance from death and hell.
Appropriately, Jesus first recorded public pronouncement was, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near.” Matthew 4:17 Repentance signifying a turning from evil to doing good ( Psalm 34:14); again Jesus warning that, “…unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Luke 13:3 The problem being our pride, as it’s always been hard for us to be convinced that we’re really that bad; taking it upon ourselves to categorize sin as bad – really bad – and unforgivable. As long as we don’t step over that imaginary line, we’re probably ok. Scripture however, paints a different picture altogether, describing man’s inclination to evil (or folly) as beginning in childhood ( Proverbs 22:15); “The heart (being) deceitful above all things and beyond cure.” Jeremiah 17:9
Paul insisted that, “There is no one righteous, not even one;…” Romans 3:10 as “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 7:23 In fact, “…all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.” Is. 64:6 How’s that? Because often even our “acts of righteousness” ( Matthew 6:1-18) are done in an attempt at gaining attention and acceptance or out of fear of punishment rather than an attempt at being a “living sacrifice” wholeheartedly available to God and his purposes. ( Romans 12:1,2) We must realize that as God embodies absolute purity and justice, he cannot – will not – countenance evil nor tolerate wrongdoing. ( Hebrews 1:13 See also Proverbs 8:13) The best of us are guilty before God, incapable of attaining righteousness on our own. (See James 2:10) God confirming that, “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.” Is. 66:2 Paul mirroring this sentiment in his admonishment for us to, “…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,…” Philippians 2:12; as we “Examine (ourselves) to see whether (we) are in the faith,..” 2 Corinthians 13:5; proving ourselves eager to make our calling sure and unassailable.
I daresay most of us can relate to Paul’s assessment of his conflicted life when he says,”…nothing good lives in… my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do – this I keep doing.” As the inclination to sin imposes itself on all men; “…I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.” Romans 7:18,19 &21Admitting our condition is a first step to realizing that, “There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil…” Romans 2:19, and that “(God) will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their sins.” Is. 13:11 Of course He doesn’t stop there. Once we understand our need of God’s mercy and accept his plan of salvation, we no longer need to dwell in wretched resignation of our fate. For, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
“Who will rescue (us) from this body of death? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Romans 1:24,25
Check back next week for the continuation of this unsettling but needed study of brokenness.
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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