Wow... that's a mouthful... but let's face it... at times all of us have been in that boat where we feel like we are the worst sinners in the world or we feel as though we need to hide in a corner... maybe it's a hidden feeling of shame... like a subconscious hole we crawl into... or maybe it is a self induced shame because of situations beyond our control... In whatever form... shame should not be a continual state in our life...
Feeling guilt for actions and words we do is not a bad thing... guilt is the stuff that puts that twinge in our hearts that reminds us that what we have done is against the order that God created to govern us... God loves us so much that He gives us access to a life free from Shame... free from the eternal consequences of sin... freedom to be a healthy worshiper before His throne...
I've lived in shame before... I've lived in constant shame because of past sins, choices, or the actions of others toward me... it's a prison for your heart and soul... it's not how God created me to live or to be... I am not my shame... you are not shameful... The Bible says that there is no condemnation for those who accept the forgiveness and free gift of life of Christ (loosely put)... for those who love God...
Yet I lived in self inflicted condemnation... why? because it was what I perceived as normal... what is your perception of normal? of shame? Shame can drive people to accomplish great things... feats of courage... huge acts of philanthropy... Yet behind all of these things lies a real person... not living in freedom, but in bondage...
Sin and the evil one... the Satan... loves it when we live in shame... yet quite frankly I don't think he notices us... humanity does a great job inflicting shame and tempting ourselves on our own... yet when we notice that we are free from shame... when we step out in faith recognizing that we have new life in Christ there is something that changes... maybe for an instant, but it is there...
We... are... free...
Free to worship without boundaries... to share faith... to love... to walk without fear... to have joy in Christ... to break down walls between family members... between friends... to walk in freedom from addictions and unhealthy patterns in life... to be free from anger and envy... to breath in new life everyday...
Shame is broken by the forgiveness of Christ... Shame is broken because Christ lives in us...
Life... without Shame...
... it's possible... right now... this second...
I hope and pray that shame is broken in your lives... (in my life)...
Blessings,
Sam
