BLOG ENTRY NUMBER TWO, APRIL 16, 2011

From “Discipleship and Discipline”, by William H. Hicks, copyright March 2005:

“Looking back, we can all discern clearly the hand and purpose of God at work in the low events of our lives.  It’s harder to see Him at work in these low periods when they are happening, when the pain is sudden and the wounds are fresh.  It is through brokenness that He breaks the world’s grip on our hearts and minds.  “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.”  “But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.”  It is through the opening created by brokenness that God pours in His Spirit. 

My brokenness has taken many forms. As a younger man, I was unfaithful, self-absorbed and largely insensitive (to others). I was disobedient to the Word, self-centered and self-absorbed. These faults are easy to see now; however, that awareness cannot undo the damage my actions caused to those around me whom I claimed to love. God does not tolerate sin.  He will require an answer. You will not be allowed to ignore sin in your life. He will confront you with your sinfulness. There will always be a reckoning. God will always have an answer for my (or your) sin.  He has always had an answer.  That answer is His Son, Jesus Christ. Appropriating the righteousness of Christ as the answer for your sin is easy and hard simultaneously. It’s easy because He will not turn away your repentance.  It’s hard because you will always attempt to justify yourself before Him when there is no justification for sin. Once you come to this realization, the “rest” is easy. You will find “rest” in Him and He will take your sin upon Himself.  The trouble we all have is letting Him have it!  There is no salvation by works.”