Real Power Only Comes From Being Broken

Real power only comes from being brokenIn an article I read the other day, a man stated that real power only comes from being broken. The teaching was partly from 1 Corinthians chapters 1 and 2 where Paul said that the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. When Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:4 that my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, the article would be saying that this real power that Paul spoke about only comes from being brokenThis article was speaking about God using people in this power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit and the article took the position that the only way to have this power is to be broken. It was even stated that any power that doesn’t come from brokenness is not a legitimate power. I take it that earthly powers like education, wealth, physical strength, and such things when there is no brokenness are not legitimate powers as God uses foolish things to confound the wise and weak things to confound the things that are mighty. The article could have possibly have said that it was brokenness that God used in Paul, not his education, that caused Paul to have power and that it was brokenness in John and Peter and not their lack of education that caused them to have power that God used in them.To get this power through brokenness, the article spoke that a Christian needs to die daily and give his or her will over to God. This death of self brings brokenness. When ones own will is brought to death there is brokenness. Power that comes without this death is considered illegitimate and that that is chaff and doesn’t come forth as gold, silver, and precious stones. With this death of the will, it was pointed out that Christ’s cross preceded Pentecost. I take that to mean that it is the death of our own will at the cross that we are to bear and the brokenness of that cross that will bring a Pentecost {revival} in our own life.I’ve noticed that when the Lord has used someone in my life to lead me to repentance there was what could be called a brokenness in the person God used. Is a real brokenness in our own life the only way to be used of the Lord for his glory? Could it be that it is only through brokenness that we will see a revival in this land? Are all our abilities, resources, and opinions nothing but chaff without a brokenness in our own heart?In Christ,GaryE

Amen to that

hi, the real power comes from the Holy Spirit... for you shall receive power after the Holy spirit comes on you. availability is often the greatest ability.jimp

Watchman Nee said God always breaks what He takes. If He accepts an offering, the offering will be broken (animal bled at the altar, Jesus on the cross, bread at communion, Spirit-filled believer, etc).Yesh is right on the mark. How low can your face go?Our evangelism pastor put it this way, 'How much pain can you take.' How much brokenness are we willing to endure? It is worth considering.

It seems that when we go through trials that are extremely hard, there is and advantage given to us to witness to people that are currently in trials. It was the extreme trials that Corrie Ten Boom went through that enabled her to minister forgiveness to others. This is some of what Romans 8:28 means.It is easy to have empathy for others in their problems when you have gone through it yourself. So, even though a trial is very painful, the trial ends up helping make you the person you are that is able to minister to others in their trials. Many people accept your words better when you have gone through what they are experiencing.When we experienced brokenness, our prayers are usually different than when things have come easy. The person who has experienced failure is much more aware that nothing can be done without him. Brokenness brings a plea from our heart that is like a child crying to a parent..................................................Sin might cause the sky to be brass, but there is a cry from the heart that will break through that brass sky and touch the heart of God.

It seems that when we go through trials that are extremely hard, there is and advantage given to us to witness to people that are currently in trials.When we experienced brokenness, our prayers are usually different than when things have come easy. What nourishing words, Gary. Thank you for posting your thoughts on brokenness. The brokenness that God took me through led me to realize that I can't rely on myself, even to cling to my own righteousness, holiness, faithfulness. Brokenness led me to realize that man has an entirely different set of values from God. God is not impressed with what we exalt. We exalt and value what the flesh can do. We do not value the broken person. They are unimpressive. I remember one day during my "Job" experiences - craving to sit on a park bench beside a street person - a loser,a bum, an alcoholic. Surely I would find companionship in such a person - someone on level ground as me - someone who wouldn't judge me for being so totally incapable of keeping my life together. I thank God for bringing me through such brokenness. And I thank God for picking me up, because if he hadn't I would have sunk for good. As painful as those times were, I still treasure such experiences. I never want to forget that, even though God has restored me. I praise God that he never stops working brokenness in our lives - even in countless subtle ways every day - those constant reminders that we are not God. I praise God that he gives us wholeness - ie completeness in Christ. Diane

Very encouraging words here. I thought I would share a poem the amens all that has been said, that came from lessons learned close to home. It expresses the beautiful work of our Father, in brokeness.Blessings to all.The Beauty of BrokennessO for the beauty of brokennessa treasure of trials sent by Godthe gift of His crucible's firethe blessing of discipline's rod For muscles are built up by tearingmade stronger through intensive painSo faith if it would be found worthymust know severe mercy through pain Our source of salvation through sufferinga merciful High Priest was madeSubjected to weakness and anguishHe groaned and He cried - but obeyed And when through His anguish enduringwas come to His fullness completeA sacrifice perfect He offeredHis head, then His hands, then His feet And wounded and broken and bleedingand gasping for breath lifted highThe purest love ever earth witnessedthe Righteous One for sinners died And would we be formed to His likenessHis image to bear and His namemust realize the beauty of brokennessand welcome the blessing of pain~Am