A Contrite heart; is soft and pliable; like fresh clay in the Master Potter’s hands; the Master being Jesus Christ. He wants to form us into useful vessels of the Gospel and for His Kingdom. A contrite heart is quick to repent and is teachable. It is free from strife, free from rebellion. It cooperates and submits to authority.
In 1953, Marlon Brando starred in a movie called, “The Wild One.” With it, an American Youth icon of defiance was born; marking the official start to the beatniks and the beat generation of young people who felt “beat down” by society as they dropped out of traditional society.
It was all done under the foreboding shadow of the nuclear “mushroom cloud,” and the “cold war.” Hardened hearts used the government as their scapegoat and as an excuse for the “anti-establishment movement.” Each generations since has become more hard hearted and more rebellious.
It is only through Jesus Christ that we can be moved to soften our hearts. David said in Psalm 51: “That the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart.”
Jesus removed all of the excuses for anger. No longer would it be acceptable; an eye for an eye; and a tooth for a tooth. Anger is not acceptable to God and not compatible with Christianity; and vengeance belongs to God. If we even have just anger for our brother; our gifts to the LORD are unacceptable. Jesus wants us to reconcile with our brother.
Matthew 5:21-24 KJV Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. (23) Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; (24) Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Strife is not a Christ like way of life. Jesus Christ wants us to make peace and be soft hearted. We are to be child like in innocence. We are not to be fighters; we are to be peacemakers.
Matthew 5:9 KJV Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Making peace not only pleases God, but we receive an immediate blessing as well. Being at war with people is not fun; it is destructive and costs greatly. The proverbial Hatfield’s and McCoy’s type feud will not be tolerated in the Kingdom of God. Jesus says to love our enemies and bless them that curse us.
Matthew 5:43-45 KJV Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. (44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (45) That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
There is a new world coming with the second coming of Jesus Christ. It will be built upon the principles that he established with His disciples. Man has had 2,000 years to enact Christian principles and to put the world at peace. Unfortunately, man has chosen to be the “Wild One,” to live in defiance to Jesus Christ. The time is coming when every knee will bow to the LORD; when defiance will be turned in fellowship in Christ and the world will be at peace. Will you defy Jesus at His return or will you change your heart now and embrace love and peace? The choice is yours! You can be the servant that Jesus says; “well done good and faithful servant, enter into the Kingdom; enter into life.
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