Are You A Blessed Wretch?

Mankind is broken and deeply flawed. He may not even be aware of the depth of his brokenness despite the evidence all around him. Or, being afraid to let others see it, he hides it deeply inside (even from himself) and boasts and swaggers, pretending to be something he is not and to possess something he does not have, substituting willfulness for the truth. He is afraid to let others close - they might see him as he really is. So afraid that when the truth is known he won't be loved.

You are that person.

I am that person.

We are, all of us, apart from Christ, utterly and completely broken inside.

If mankind were not so broken why all the institutions that are designed to help manage this brokenness? Judicial systems, law enforcement, marriage counselors, the UN, armies, lawyers, courts, bars on windows, metal cages around vending machines, stop signs and on and on.

Jesus said, "Blessed [Oh, how fortunate or blessed!] are the poor in spirit [wretch]: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3)

When you get a clear view of Jesus I can guarantee that your first reaction will be poverty of spirit. No question about it. And you can't fake this one. Just as Peter said when it hit him who Jesus was, "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord." (Luke 5:8) Peter saw his brokenness in contrast to Jesus' perfect and complete "non-brokenness".

Jesus is SO [holy, pure, loving, powerful, forgiving, kind, tender, meek, etc] that once you 'see' Him and are in His presence you see yourself exactly as you are because He is Truth and truth does not abide with non-truth. We will either choose the continued pain of our brokenness or the temporary pain of healing. Either the spirit dies or the flesh dies. If you have chosen Truth, any lie or 'brokenness' inside of you must also go. No exceptions. One must go.

Don't stop though at seeing God's holiness only. He is also love. Don't be afraid to face your brokenness. Jesus heals - "and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5b)

God commits to helping us; "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth; who is he that condemneth? It is Christ Jesus that died, yea rather, that was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" (Romans 8:31-35)

Even hell itself will not keep Jesus from helping us. He already went there too.

Do you feel broken? You are fortunate and blessed because Jesus is there for you. No condemnation whatsoever. No head trips. THERE IS HOPE!

Let go. Look at Jesus. Receive. He already does see you as you really are and He still loves you enough to die for you. Accept and be healed.