When my wife broke her ankle, the doctors told her if she had broken it completely, rather than partially, it would have healed correctly. Because the injury was partial, so was the healing.

When my wife and I walk, she often must stop and sit. The pain reminds her the ankle never wholly broke. She champions these episodes of pain, and they remind her she is still injured. As she sits, waiting for the waves of discomfort to pass, she often reflects on what the doctor told her.

Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of His wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?

~Romans 6:1, 2 NLT

In Paul’s day, some thought if they followed the law but transgressed a little, God would continue to show grace. Others felt they were no longer under the law and could live as they pleased. Paul posed a thought-provoking question we could summarize as “Should we keep on sinning because God is full of grace and pardons us from transgressions?” He was not just asking, “Have we died to sin?” but “Have we been broken from sin?” Paul defended his faith by showing that we experience victory from sin when we are in a right relationship with God, not just through our religious practices. He understood being broken from sin is only obtained by dying to our old ways and living in the new.

The word “broken” has many meanings, but the one Paul uses is shabar and describes God’s action against stubborn pride. God desires to remove sin. When God breaks us from the bondage of sin, we experience true freedom.

I once read about how a wild stallion experiences “breaking in.” No one can ride a stallion safely until he has his spirit broken. Until then, he is a wild horse. At the moment he has his mindset changed, he calms. This allows the rider to rest with the stallion instead of being at odds with him. Then there is unity as the stallion obeys his master.

Paul asks us to allow the Holy Spirit to connect with and guide us, in much the same way as that unbroken horse does with its rider. We must accept a new way. Our best life begins when we partner with the Holy Spirit, which results in calmness and freedom. God takes us from living in our power to living with Him.

When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

~Romans 6:10, 11 NLT

Let’s reflect on the moment we broke under God’s command. Unless we have a break from sin, we will still live with pain. If our reflection on the past leaves us with pangs of guilt rather than freedom, then our past sins still hinder us.

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit; You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. 

~Psalm 51:17 NLT

We can reflect on the most joyous occasions in life: children being born, becoming new parents, purchasing our first home, or enjoying our younger years. These reflections bring us peace and a sense of accomplishment. But some reflections reveal circumstances we hope never repeat themselves, such as my wife’s sprained ankle.

Reflecting on some of my past experiences makes me sad. Just the thought of them brings me a sense of embarrassment or shame, not because I have not moved on but because I did them in the first place. Some of your reflections may do the same for you. We may wonder how we got into such a place, and we may thank God for sparing us. We may even wonder who we were. At the same time, God shows us we are not that person anymore, nor will we ever be.

Reflection is necessary. It reminds us of how we have changed or improved because of God’s influence. More importantly, it helps us determine that our freedom from past pain is found by living in our newfound joy in Christ. We are redeemed, forgiven, and new in Christ.

What is one issue preventing you from experiencing complete healing in Christ? Will you commit that area of your life to the Lord today?

Father God, thank You for reminding me I need to be broken and yielded to You so I won’t be entrapped by the power of sin. Please help me reflect on where I have come from and on the freedom I now have in You. Holy Spirit, thank You for partnering with me in this journey called life. Give me the strength to continue to move forward. Help me never to return to my old ways of living but to continue living in the newness of life I’ve found in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2021: The Blessing in Being Broken: Charles E. Maldon, Jr.: All Rights Reserved