We Are So Broken/Christ Is So Wonderful

 We Are So Broken/Christ Is So Wonderful


It is one of God's expressions of His merciful kindness to us, His beloved church, when He shows us "glimpses" of just how profoundly twisted, contorted, perverted, and broken we actually are in our Fall in Adam, and in our natural state outside of our Lord Jesus Christ.  None of us like to have to "see" this, because it is so ugly, horrifying, and disgusting--but, ironically, when we do behold it (even just a little) it has a most sanctifying effect on us.  Moses asked God to show him (Moses) His (God's) "glory," (Ex. 33:18); we should ask God our Father to show us our sinfulness, (cf. Ps. 38:18 & 51:3).  The reasons for this are at least threefold: 1) we will recognize afresh just how utterly lost and hopelessly wretched we are aside from Jesus; 2) our sight of Christ (by faith) in light of our need of Him will make our blessed Redeemer appear even more glorious to us (than ever before); and 3) our hearts will have much more compassion for poor destitute sinners with whom we deal everyday.

 

Our fallen condition in Adam is much worse than we could ever know or imagine.  But our state in Jesus as His church is much more glorious than we could ever conceive of it. . . . Still, we are not going to appreciate the latter (our glory in Christ) as much as we should, without comprehending just how woebegone we actually are in separation from Him.

 

The only way we will ever gaze into the face of Jesus (by faith, in this world) is after we have glanced (first) at our own despicable, i.e. still "fleshly," hearts.  When we perceive our need, it is then that we seek our Solution, the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ. . . . And this transfixion with His "face" will fill us (the regenerate saints of the church) with wonder, comfort, awe, and grace.  Also, by looking at Christ by faith we "soak up" His light, His love, His truth, and His mercy.  But again, would we even (or ever) do this, if we did not first feel and know our own desperate need of Him?  The truth is, we would not.

 

As we traverse the rest of our lives down here on this fallen earth as the Church Militant, let us keep these two "poles" ever before us: the extreme nature of the infinity and enormity of our sin and its guilt; and the wonder and amazement of what God our Father did for us in atoning for all of it in the Person, blood, resurrection, and glorification of His Son.

 

If we actually do this, by grace, it is going to have the most savory influence on everything else we do in this life.  We will view our fellow sinners with empathy; we will love our Triune God with glorious joy; and we will know that everything that happens to us will accrue to our God's glory and His church's (our) good.

 

Let us not be afraid of any truth about ourselves (or anyone or anything else)--even if it is homely as hell itself.  The beauty of Jesus overwhelms it all.

 

Rev. Mark J. Henninger

Treatise #123

30 July 2026

 

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com

https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com

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