Message #13 (of 20) from the PrayerPower radio series "Confession"

by Kaye Johns

Brokenness. It has to come from the heart, from a deep love for God, coupled with the realization that we have not only sinned, but find ourselves incapable of living without sin, aside from the empowerment of His Holy Spirit. As much as we may not like to face brokenness in our lives, because it is painful, in an instant it can transform our lives! Let me share an encouragement about brokenness from Calvin Miller, from his book, Walking with Saints:

"The word holy terrifies suburban Christians. ...Who in their right suburbanite mind wants to talk about holiness? ...Let us remember this: Purity of life is not a striving; it is not something we achieve with years of practice, like a 70 in golf. It is the direct, immediate result of confession. Psalm 51 is the heart-cry of a murderous adulterer, whose plea ends in instant purity of life. If David can be made holy in one instant of brokenness, so indeed may all who call upon our God.

"So let us see [purity as] bound up in his cleansing power and not in our struggling power. We do not attain purity of life. Instead, it is God’s gift issuing from our yearning to know him. He gives us this gift not because he is impressed with our effort but because he is impressed with our hunger. Cleansing and purity come not because we crave being clean but because we crave being together with God." [Walking with the Saints, Calvin Miller, pp. 58-59]

That is so beautifully said, and so essential for us to understand. Our confession, our brokenness, comes because we cannot bear the thought of separation from our God.

Pray with me now -- Lord, help us love you in such a deeply personal way that we cannot bear the thought of not being with You in uninterrupted fellowship. Amen.

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