“For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.” – Luke 9:26 KJV.
Many Christians, churches and even ministers have fallen prey to the insidious work of shame where the gospel is concerned. The words of Jesus Christ are strong, they divide, they heal, they condemn, they liberate and most importantly make straight the crooked places in our lives. The gospel of Jesus Christ confronts the problem, sin, but doesn’t leave humanity there. Jesus shows us the way out, the fire escape, the way of salvation. Jesus told us in the above mentioned verse that if we are ashamed of him and his words then we will possibly face being rejected by him.
What is the remedy to this shame that is misplaced? Simply put, to be dedicated to Jesus Christ, to be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit and having our minds renewed by the word of God, and sharing the life changing power and compassion of Jesus Christ that is available to all people.
Defining Shame
Shame is similar but different from guilt. Shame first manifested in humans in the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve sinned and they saw they were naked (Gen. 3:7). Nakedness can be not only physical but also spiritual and emotional. With Adam and Eve it was both. If someone dreams and in the dream they are naked that reveals that the dreamer is experiencing shame and that they feel vulnerable.
Miriam-Webster online dictionary defines shame as:
A painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety. Also, a condition of humiliating disgrace or disrepute. Like being arrested. Also, something that brings censure or reproach (1).
To what voice of authority do we allow ourselves to be subject, society or another voice? The Bible, God’s word? The authority we submit to dictates to us what is acceptable and what is unacceptable, what is consider right and what is considered wrong. What we base our moral belief system on is what we end up internalizing thus creating a belief system that significantly influences our conscience and emotional selves.
As Christians we need to not only recognize that we belong to Jesus Christ, but internalize this truth so that we can reflect it in our lives. The name Christian, by definition, means one who follows the person and teachings of Jesus Christ. Anyone who does not do so is not a Christian though they may even refer to themselves as one. Therefore, should we be ashamed of Jesus Christ, his teachings, his actions, and our devotion to him? No! Yet shame dictates to many “Christians” and can be found in their silence when they need to be declaring the gospel, in phrases such as, “I keep my faith to myself.” or, “Actions speak louder than words.” There needs to be words of the gospel in their mouths.
Judge Not
While our atheistic humanistic society preaches the mantra of “no judgment” it subtly condemns the teaching of Jesus Christ which is a direct contradiction to it’s own message. That’s because the spirit of this age wants us to believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ is too harsh and judgmental therefore it is wrong. This is not new but it is growing more intense in our western world that used to be predominantly Christian. There are historical beginnings to this now present problem which I won’t be delving into today.
Those preaching judge not are all too often guilty of the very thing that they believe they are standing for and declaring, in psychology they call this, projection. Projection is a defence mechanism where unwanted feelings are displaced onto another person. This occurs when there is a perceived threat from outside of oneself. A common projection is when a person feels threatened by their own feelings accuses another of harbouring those thoughts and feelings.(2)
As believers we need to discern or judge what is right and what is wrong. You cannot show someone the way to eternal life without knowing it yourself or rather judged it righteously. Without specifically going into the subject of judging, but simply to clarify for the sake of eliminating projected shame on the Christian, here are some scriptures to substantiate my statements:
“These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy[a] Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?”[b] But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:13-16 NKJV
“…Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.” Romans 12:9b NKJV
‘”Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”’ John 7:24 NKJV (words of Jesus Christ)
It is time for the church to wake up, identify with Christ and not befriend the world. We are to preach the good news to all creation without shame. Many a church and Christian has tried to befriend the world so they can win it to Christ but the Apostle John says this, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:15-17 NKJV).
Be Christ Filled, Be Spirit Filled
“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18 NKJV).
When one becomes a believer he is a babe in Christ but each one of us must grow spiritually into a mature believer. These important principles and practices need to be lived in order to grow up, be bold for Christ, and to please the Lord Jesus Christ in doing the will of the Father God.
A. Daily be in fellowship and prayer with the Lord for at least 15 minutes, praying with the Spirit and with the understanding (1 Corinthians 14:14).
B. Daily read, study, and meditate upon the word of God. (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1; Romans 12:2; 1 Timothy 2:15).
C. Be a regular part of a local church body and submitted to a biblically righteous pastor. (Hebrews 10:25; Hebrews 13:7; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 12:28).
D. Be a faithful tither and offering giver. (Hebrews 7:1-28; Matthew 23:23; Malachi 3:10; Luke 11:42; Philippians 4; Luke 6:38).
E. Be a faithful, unashamed witness of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world, seeking to save whom you can. (Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15-20; 1 Peter 3:15; Matthew 5:16; Jude 1:23).
Conclusion
“For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.” – Luke 9:26 KJV.
We as believers must fully immerse ourselves into being full of Jesus Christ. Shame will come and there will be many who will want to blame you, the church and your God for many things. The world points fingers and so does the religious world of godless people who wish to silence the voice of the Christian because it is irritating to them much like when a person who is asleep is awakened by the sunlight coming through the window.
Let your light shine before men, by doing so you may save some.
References:
- Shame: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shame
- Projection: https://www.britannica.com/topic/defense-mechanism#ref195659
Article copyrighted by James A. Miklos, all rights reserved. No part of this article can be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. Phrases may be quoted with proper reference indicated.
-Rev. James Miklos
