Week of Sanctification: Reflections

In this season of knowing God and taking time to develop the discipline of being in His presence, one key word that keeps cropping up is that of brokenness. Our pastors have taught from the pulpit what it means to be broken before God, but I'm sure there are many of you out there who still wonder what that means for you personally. Perhaps you are asking, "Am I broken already? How do I know?" Well, I thought about this as I spent some time hearing from my guys after last night's session. My encouragement to you is to focus on spending time with God and giving up the things that are important to you so that you can obey God wholeheartedly. Brokenness will come when you do that. Here's something from our Youthbuzz coulmn in our weekly bulletin that I thought helped me understand brokenness a little more. [+]

BROKENNESS

As a young Christian, I was impacted greatly by the writings of Watchman Nee, a spiritual giant who knew and experienced close intimacy with God. His books like "The Normal Christian Life" and "The Release of the Spirit" increased my understanding of the spirit man by leaps and bounds. "Brokenness" has been the buzz word this last week. I thought I can do no better than share with you some gleanings from his writings on this subject:

"Many of God's servants are not able to do even the most elementary works. Ordinarily, their spirits should enable them to know God's Word, discern the spiritual condition of another, send forth God's messages under the anointing, and receive God's revelations. However, because their outward man has never been dealt with, revival, zeal, pleading and activity are a waste of time. There is just one basic dealing that can enable man to be useful before God, and it is this: brokenness."

"Without the breaking of the outward man, the inward man cannot come forth to bless others because Christ's life is imprisoned by us. It is not that the Lord cannot bless the church, but that the Lord's life is so confined within us that there is no flowing forth. If the outward man remains unbroken, we can never be a blessing to His church, and we cannot expect the Word of God to be blessed by Him through us!"

How do we know if we've been broken?

"There is one common feature that marks those who have been enlightened and disciplined; they become meek. Meekness is a sign of brokenness. All who are broken by God are characterized by meekness" (Note: not weakness!).

Jesus said, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words which I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." (John 6:63)

-Youthbuzz 2 Mar 08


Joshua Teo