Bring Christ Your Broken Life

I’m sure you recognize the above title as the name of a song often sung in worship assemblies. What a hopeful thought it is to know that we can bring broken and damaged lives to Jesus and that He can repair and restore us by His grace. Sin does great damage too our souls. No accountable person escapes its devastating power (Romans 3:23). It alienates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), brings shame upon us (Revelation 3:18; Revelation 16:15), harms our friends and family, and incurs the righteous condemnation of a holy God (Romans 1:18; Colossians 1:20-23).

But, that doesn’t have to be the end of the story. Lives marred by sin and broken by transgression, can be healed. But, the sinner must first admit his problem. He must quit covering up his wrongs and concealing his pain. As Jesus said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick” (Matthew 9:12 NASB). His words rebuked the self-satisfaction and spiritual blindness of the Pharisees who thought that they did not need a Savior — they could save themselves by perfect law keeping. They would not admit their wrongs. They were too proud to humble themselves before God. Jesus could not help them as long as they were foolishly relying on self-righteousness (Romans 10:1-3).

Another class of people could be helped (saved). They were the folks who knew their own shortcomings. They recognized their own failings and gladly heard and followed their Savior. Like Peter, they could say honestly about themselves, “I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Luke 5:8). Like sinful David, these broken-hearted people weep over their own sins (Psalms 51:17). Like the humble publican, penitent sinners confess their sins and beg for mercy, instead of bragging about their supposed righteousness (Luke 18:9-14).

It was said of Jesus, “This Man receives sinners” (Luke 15:1-2 NASB). Yes, and thank God it is so! But may we all remember that there is only one kind of sinner whom Christ can help. It is the humble, contrite, broken-hearted, truly penitent, confessing sinner who falls down at His feet in poverty of spirit and asks, “What shall I do Lord?” (Acts 22:10). Then gladly obeys the Gospel answer (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16). Bring Christ your broken life, now, for He can heal the sin-sick soul. —Darwin Hunter

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets