I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed…
Summary: Paul’s hope of being free of shame is a beacon of light for all believers who share his hope in Jesus Christ.
Ashamed by what?
I kinda hate to write on this topic for personal reasons. You see, I have a shame problem! Throughout my long life, I have been shamed by others for many reasons.
Some parents shame children as a means of control.
People who are jealous or feel threatened by competition try and shame their competitors.
Some of the media we listen to on radio, television, and now social media shames those people who hold opinions they do not approve of.
My entire life has been spent swimming in a sewer of shame.
When I met Jesus, things started to change. For the first time in my life, instead of shame, I felt accepted. Jesus’ unconditional love is the same love discovered by the Prodigal Son when he came home to his father (Luke 15:11-32).
Unfortunately, like the prodigal, the acceptance of the Father does not mean an end to shame. Even though his father welcomed him home, the prodigal’s brother did not. In fact, he resented his brother for what he did and in his anger continually spewed shame on his brother.
Like the prodigal, being accepted by our Father in heaven does not protect us from those who want to shame us.
Take Satan for example. The ancient serpent who tempted Adam and Eve into rebellion against their Creator is still at work. Even when we try to do what is right, we “hear” that voice in the back of our mind whispering accusations that bring shame.
Could we have done better? Satan accuses us of not doing enough.
Did we experience a moment of weakness? Satan is right there to replay the mental video for us.
No one is perfect except God (Ecclesiastes 7:20). Paul knows this as well. Yet Paul knows something else. He knows that he has been forgiven (1 John 2:12).
Like the prodigal who comes home, he does not come home perfect. He is still the same son who left in arrogant pride. The only difference is that his pride has been replaced by humility. It is a humility that comes from facing the reality that none of us stands alone without our Father.
It is a small change, but one that makes all the difference in the world.
Application: The cure and prevention of shame is found in keeping our eyes on Jesus.
Food for Thought: How does shame prove the existence of Satan and God?
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I think it shows there is a real spiritual battle. I have heard that conviction that leads to transformation comes from God. Shame comes from our own conscience and the demonic. That this battle exists, to me, does show contrasting spiritual forces at work. Thankfully, God is greater than our conscience or our enemy (1 John 3: 19 – 20; 1 John 4: 4).
Thank you, Rich!
Great verses!
“This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.” (1 John 3: 19 – 20)