A Broken and Contrite Heart
- Posted by Julee Huy
- 0 Comments
For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life —is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:16.
It would be very simple for me to do something to atone for my sin, but nothing I can do will take away my sin. Instead, self-atonement feeds the pride, making me self-righteous. I’m not really thinking about repenting for my sin at all, just about how I can get out of the consequence. I’m not even considering the price that Jesus Christ paid for that sin. In essence, I’m saying that what He did, His ultimate sacrifice, was not enough. In my pride, I’m saying “I will,” “I have done” -I.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17.
When my heart is broken and contrite, I am able to see the pain my sin has inflicted. My heart considers those I hurt and how my sin hurt my Savior, betraying all He’s done, all He gave for me. On my own, I don’t have the power or authority to vanquish for all time the stain of sin in my heart nor spirit of disobedience that causes me to sin. With every drop of blood, Jesus said, “Father forgive them.” With every lash of the whip that tore into His flesh, Jesus declared His love for me. Jesus was sacrificed for every “I” and “me” that I arrogantly say.
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. Psalm 51:16.
Religion says do this or that, and your misdeed is forgiven. A relationship with Jesus Christ says done. When you die to self, confess and repent of your sins, God says your sins are gone, never to be remembered again.
As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. Psalms 103:12.
It’s okay to be proud of an accomplishment for which you worked. To tell someone we are proud of them is to tell them that we admire what they have done. However, to think we know better than God or that we are equal to Him and self-reliant, that was kind of pride that got the devil kicked out of heaven.
You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High. But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit. Isaiah 14:13 – 15.
To be humble is not a bad thing, and to realize that we can do nothing in and of ourselves is truth, not a lie. To depend on God for everything we have, for everything we need and to admit that we are sinful and need a Savior makes me thankful for His grace, love and mercy, which freed me from the responsibilities with which pride weighs me down.
But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ James 4:6.
0 Comments