One stumbling block people have with Jesus is shame. While the gospel might sound alluring, their shame holds them back. Perhaps you are facing this today. If so, let me share the Word of God.
Let’s make sure we understand each other. Shame is universal. You aren’t unique. Sure, your sin may or may not be better or worse than the next guy, but no one, I mean no one, may stand in judgment before God and the righteousness he demands. “None is righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10-11) To say so-and-so is a good person is to misunderstand scripture. Jesus himself said, “No one is good except God alone.” (Mark 10:18)
Bottom line? We ALL have every reason to be ashamed and no reason to be proud.
This problem goes all the way back to the beginning, with the first sin. Before that, there was no shame. “And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.” (Genesis 2:25) Then they sinned, and Adam and Eve hid themselves from God. Do you know what Adam said to God? “I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” (v. 3:10) It’s been that way with humans ever since.
Hiding Won’t Help
Hiding won’t help anything. It will only make things worse. Come Judgment Day, everyone will be guilty of open rebellion to God. There is only one sentence: the lake of fire. In this place there will be eternal torment, day and night, forever and ever. That’s not my opinion. That’s what the Word of God says.
Shame need not be the reason that keeps you from begging forgiveness today. In fact, it should be a compelling reason for you to repent. Isn’t shame a powerful emotion that lets you know something is terribly wrong?
Something, indeed, is terribly wrong. It’s sin. Your sin. It must be dealt with. You need forgiveness to keep you out of the lake of fire. Thank God for shame to point us to Him!
God Removes Our Shame
There is no hope apart from God’s forgiveness. Once God forgives, he forgives completely and permanently. That’s his promise, made by the only one who is capable of keeping a promise. Let me share a passage or two.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.
Psalm 103:11-14
For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” ... For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:11, 13
Repentance. Forgiveness. Life. No more shame.