We're Not Broken - We're Sinners

It's become popular in evangelicalism to refer to ourselves as being "broken." As in the sense that our problem as people is that we are broken, and that Jesus has come to heal our brokenness. I've become increasingly uncomfortable with this kind of language, because I think it clouds the actual truth of the gospel. So we really need to ask ourselves - is it Biblical? Can we support using these terms of brokenness and healing as a clear expression of the intent and effects of the gospel of Jesus Christ. My view is that it is not.

First, let's consider the therapeutic focus that the term brokenness expresses. To be sure, there are a lot of people in the world who have many kinds of challenges, issues, problems, etc. And they are desperately in search of some kind of relief from their issues, someone or something to help them cope. And yes, Jesus as the great Physician and Healer can and often does provide rescue from life situations for His people. But is this the main intent of the gospel? No, it is not. When we speak of people being broken in this sense we tend to think of them being victims of some sort, victims of injustice, oppression, being taken advantage of, bad family situations, addictions, the whole gamut of human miseries. But the Scriptures don't refer to people primarily as victims who are struggling for relief from their life issues. Instead they tell us who we really are: depraved sinners. In our natural state we aren't unwitting victims, but unrighteous rebels against the rightful rule of God. Out root problem isn't that we need deliverance in the form of therapy for our problems - it's that we are dead in our sin, unable and unwilling to seek God, actively hostile towards Him, and therefore under His just condemnation. This is the the real problem that the gospel addresses - freedom from the eternal wrath of God that we've earned as sinners against a holy God. Provided through the gracious life and death of Jesus, and received by faith in Him, alone.

Second, the term "broken" in the Bible usually refers to someone who is repentant, who has seen the reality of their sin and guilt before God and has been crushed by the weight of their condemnation before Him. The best example of this is Psalm 51:17: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." Brokenness is referred to as the right response to God's judgment on our unrighteousness and rebellion, not as the state we need to be relieved of.

When God the Spirit performs His work of regeneration and gives us spiritual life and eyes to see the truth, all of our issues and problems in this life fall away as insignificant compared to the awful state of our sinfulness and standing before God in judgment. This is what brings us to a state of being truly broken, seeing ourselves as we truly are - not victims but rebels. And this brokenness results in repentance and faith as we flee from our sin and flee to Christ for His grace, mercy, pardon and new life for eternity. Then, and only then, can we seek relief from Jesus for our problems in life, as He chooses to provide it as our Lord and Savior.

Let's reclaim a Biblical use of the term brokenness. We're not broken - we're sinners.

What Does it Mean to Glorify God?

This morning's sermon at Redeemer Church got me thinking about the meaning and outworking of the word 'glory', and how we glorify God. The passage in view was John 12:20-26 where Jesus states that the hour had come for Him to be glorified. We so often use the term glory but I wonder if we really think about what it means, or what we are really saying when we talk about God's glory or glorifying God.

Going to the Scriptures, we find the word glory is translated from the Hebrew kâbôd (כּבוד) in the Old Testament, and the Greek doxa (δόξα) in the New Testament. The Hebrew term has many uses, all of which refer to weightiness or heaviness. We use similar language when talk about "weighty matters," things that are significant and consequential. Even the old "that's heavy, man" has this same sense. So when the OT authors refer to God's glory, they are referring to Him as the weightiest, most supreme and honorable being. Any time we deal with God, we are dealing with one who is intrinsically of utmost consequence, and and most worthy of honor and praise. The NT term is similar in its focus on dignity, honor, and worthiness of worship.

So what then does it mean to "glorify God"? Well obviously it doesn't mean to make Him glorious, since as we've seen, He already is. There's no way that mere man, or anything else in creation, could make God glorious, or add to His innate glory. Since He alone is glorious in His being, His creation can only reflect or point to His gloriousness. In fact the Scriptures tell us that everything in creation ultimately exists for just that purpose - to reflect and make known the glorious One. We see this reference to the created universe testifying to God's glory in Psalm 19:1 - "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." We see in Philippians 2:9-11 that God's glory will be displayed when ultimately all people confess the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We find repeatedly in Ephesians chapter 1 that the grace of God in Christ shown to His elect is a testimony to His glory. In 1 Corinthians 10:31 we who are His people are commanded that "whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

So this is how we as believers in Christ glorify God. We live our lives as a reflection of the glorious grace of God that He's given to us in Jesus. To glorify Him means to declare His greatness and His honor and His worthiness of all praise and worship. First of all, by fully trusting in the glorious gospel of grace He's given in the person and work of Jesus Christ. And then by allowing our thoughts, words, actions and all we have and do to be governed by that gospel as His Spirit enables us and empowers us and guides us.

God is glorious. His glory is only partially seen now as His creation and His people give partial and imperfect testimony to Him. And one day He will fully reveal His glory to everyone and everything. Let's live as His people in light of who He is, and the hope of His glory being made clear.