The Cost of Honesty (part 1)

We are broken, so that we'll stay open. If we are closed, then we are indisposed.

This goes right along with the other blog "No dumping", and has also been on my heart lately. I really don't even know where to start. When we say, in Christian circles, "I am broken", we're really saying a mouthful, in those three little words;

"I am a sinner."
"I sin."
"I live in world that glorifies sin."
"God is deeply touching my heart, pointing out the sin within, and asking me to walk away from it."
"In spite of how wicked I am, God is so good, and I'm crying because I can't handle it,"etc.

There is more that could be said, but (thanks to the English language) one word can have several definitions. Usually, brokenness entails; conviction of sin, submission to God, and/or an awareness of sin. Chances are that we've sung, read, or even heard someone mention this idea of being broken. But like the sentence at the beginning, that's really only half of the bigger idea.

We are broken, so that we'll stay open.

It stands to reason, that if someone has broken their arms, AND their legs, they are really in no place to close off from the world. In fact, they need people MORE now then they did before. The simplest things as going to the bathroom, or changing a t.v. channel, is completely up to the kindness of others. So, how does this relate to sin, God, and our lives? Imagine that you are handicapped for life. I'm sure it's harder for some than others. Although there is probably some measure of independence, there is an almost certainty that accommodations will be necessary in order to suit your needs. Your life is filled with a keen awareness of your condition and the need for other people. The fact is, whether we're handicapped or not, we all need people in our lives. I'm using this as an example to contrast and compare physical properties with spiritual ones. We have a desperate need for God. It's possible to know how much we need people physically around us;however, I don't think we know the extent of the spiritual damage of sin and how only God can bring wholeness.

Soapbox Warning!!!!!

Now, I have a loaded sawed off shotgun (figurative people not literal) that I'm about to use on an idea that just needs to die. The fact that we have a need for God as broken sinners DOES NOT make us less of a person. The reason someone goes to kneel at the front of the aisle is to lay it all out before God. Is there a person on this planet that this does not apply to? Is there a magic wand that just helps us skip through James chapter 1? I don't think so. The word is very clear in 1 John 1:8,
"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."

Climbing back down two feet...

There is a beautiful release in emptying the contents of your heart and mind before God. In fact, it is highly recommended by five out of five doctors (Dr. David, Dr. John, Dr. Paul, Dr. James and Dr. Jesus) Psalms 32:5, 1 John 1:9, Rom 10:9, James 5:16, and Matt 5:17. Seriously, why is this open face something undesired in the modern church? There is freedom in surrender. I love how one brother said that, "What we try to hide, God uncovers. What we uncover, God covers." Is it apparent how being open and broken go hand in hand? There is nothing to hide, when Jesus is your covering.

We are broken, so that we'll stay open. I think of the verse that shows how tender God made Paul's heart to the Corinthians.

"O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open."
2 Corinthians 6:11-13

I don't think Paul is belittling the Corinthians. I think he is filled to the brim with compassion, and godly frustration. It's almost like a father who is fed up with excuses from a distant child and says "Spit it out!" "What's going on?"

I know this is long, and I'm going to talk about "closed and indisposed" in a part two. How can we communicate, if we are only using pretense and not truth? There are different levels to whom we trust and share our deepest selves. I am aware that the cost of honesty is one's pride, but intimacy is impossible without honesty. I'm talking about love not sex. If we are honest with God, why is it a challenge to be honest with each other? I'm not suggesting that we should "air our laundry" outside. That's not wise
(see "No dumping?" blog).

I''m suggesting we trade our rags for riches and exchange our defective lives, for eternal youth. When things are right with God, chances are, that things are also right with the world again. Is the freedom evident? Am I making myself clear? I don't know where I heard this, but an honest man has nothing to be afraid of. If God is charge, then He is really the only One I should be afraid of, especially if He is just, righteous, and holy! If I've made things right with God, than I'm in the clear. It's already out there in the open. It's not hanging over my head anymore. It's gone. And if anyone says anything to dilute the work of the Spirit, I can just give it to the Lord, and He will deal with the problem. I'm only responsible for my own actions. I can't control other people. I'm going to choose to let Jesus reign over my life, and pray that others will do the same.

I've said this before, and I will say it again, I am not perfect. Only God is perfect. I have not arrived. I hold this verse to my heart, because it means so much to me.

"Not that I have attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me."
-Phil 3:12

I don't have Jesus. Jesus has me. I didn't look for Him. He looked for me. I'm not my own man. I've been bought with a price. Jesus is the biggest part of this relationship. He's the One who has me completely. But do I have Him completely? Not yet, but one day I will.

I sincerely believe that brokenness and openness is a process. For those who are Christians, it started the day they decided to become a disciple of Jesus Christ, but it was not to supposed to end there. I love how my brother Andy phrases it as "a surrendered life". Our cross is to be shouldered daily. It's very easy to forget the Jesus was split wide open just for us. His fleshly body was broken. Blood dripped down as he was cut open. Several places on his body were brutally broken. His own mother didn't recognize his face. He was open and He was broken. That is our call. We are to follow in His footsteps, and die, so that we can come back to life again.


"Widsom is supreme; therefore, get wisdom. Though it cost all you have get understanding."
-Proverbs 4:7