Shame
Merriam-Webster def. – n. a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety.
What was your initial reaction when you saw this S-word in bold letters?
Pause for a moment. Think about it before reading further. What sprang to mind?
Judgment? Condemnation? Curiosity? Conviction?
“You should know better!”
As a child, I heard that often. It was usually accompanied by “Shame on you.”
And to this day, when I mess up, a voice in my head whispers, “Shame on you.” Do you hear a similar voice? I admit I usually DO know better. However, knowing and doing are two separate things.
Though I find the Apostle Paul intimidating, I am drawn to his struggle with sin which he expounds on in Romans 6, 7, and 8. Struggle is the operative word here, because I agree with Paul “that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” Frankly, I don’t like the struggle that rages within me. I don’t like wrestling with temptation. Paul calls it another law. “When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work…waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of sin...” This is a pitiable plight.
With Paul I want to throw up my hands and declare with a sigh, “What a wretched human I am! Who will rescue me…?” Again, it’s important that I pause to consider my wretched state. It’s not a comfortable place. I want to quickly run ahead to the answer [the good news], but if I do I will fail to truly appreciate my shameful condition. It’s realizing my pitiful condition that causes me to cry for help! It’s akin to staying in Good Friday long enough to feel the gravity of the sin for which Christ died.
At the end of Romans 7, Paul boldly thanks God that Jesus Christ is the One Who rescues us. In chapter 8 he says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation (shame) for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” This is the best news I could possibly imagine! It’s not about following the law perfectly. I can’t! I never could. Nor is it saying I will never sin again but it IS saying that Christ has the final word, and on that I can depend. It’s about accepting my condition and owning it!
So when I battle temptation, whether I access the Spirit for help, or get swept away by desire and sin, the good news is that the Lord knows my plight. Shame doesn’t need to define me. I do not live under the law. God doesn’t keep a scorecard of my sin so I don’t need to either. Jesus stands ready to hear my confession, to forgive my sin, and to restore my soul.
Slowly I’m realizing I will never outgrow my need for forgiveness. I will never max out on God’s grace. I will never be exempt from His mercy. Thanks be to God! Rather than put myself under the law, I want to learn to see myself as Christ sees me. He gets me! And He is filled with compassion. It’s His kindness that leads me to repentance.
Take courage as you ponder this Weighty Word with God. Dare to look at those things that bring you shame. Look at them squarely. Say them aloud or write them down as an intentional act of confession. And then look to the One Who offers forgiveness and restoration to your soul.
And the next time that voice whispers “Shame on you! You should know better,” be quick to admit that it’s true; you should, but dare to declare this greater truth: “I have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for my sins….”
As you walk with this word this week, consider these verses and claim them for the Truth they reveal.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to every one that believes… ”
“Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. ”
“I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. ”