ASHAMED

OF WHAT WAS JESUS NOT ASHAMED?

Hebrews 12:2 . . . We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God’s throne in heaven.

Jesus was not ashamed of his death on the cross because he had an eternal perspective. Though from a human standpoint, his crucifixion was an ugly experience, it was also the most beautiful celebration of love in all history.

Hebrews 2:11 . . . Now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.

Jesus is not ashamed of his relationship with Christians.

OF WHAT SHOULD WE NOT BE ASHAMED?

Mark 8:38 . . . “If a person is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, I, the Son of Man, will be ashamed of that person when I return in the glory of my Father with the holy angels.”

Luke 9:26 . . . “If a person is ashamed of me and my message, I, the Son of Man, will be ashamed of that person when I return in my glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.”

We should not be ashamed of Jesus-who he is, what he said or what he did.

Luke 22:61-62 . . . At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered that the Lord had said, “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny me three times.” And Peter left the courtyard, crying bitterly.

1 Peter 4:14 . . . Be happy if you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God will come upon you.

We should not be ashamed to be associated with Jesus, to be known as his followers.

Matthew 5:15 . . . Don’t hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all.

Romans 1:16 . . . I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who Believes-Jews first and also Gentiles.

We should not be ashamed to tell others about Jesus.

1 Peter 4:16 . . . It is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his wonderful name!

2 Timothy 1:8 . . . You must never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for Christ. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the proclamation of the Good News.

2 Timothy 1:12 . . . That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.

2 Timothy 1:16 . . . May the Lord show special kindness to Onesiphorus and all his family because he often visited and encouraged me. He was never ashamed of me because I was in prison.

We should not be ashamed of suffering for Jesus.

WHAT CAN CAUSE US TO FEEL ASHAMED?

Genesis 2:25; 3:7 . . . Now, although Adam and his wife were both naked, neither of them felt any shame. . .  At that moment, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they strung fig leaves together around their hips to cover themselves.

Psalm 25:3 . . . No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.

Ezra 9:6 . . . I prayed, “O my God, I am utterly ashamed; I blush to lift up my face to you. For our sins are piled higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached to the heavens.”

Isaiah 44:9-11 . . . How foolish are those who manufacture idols to be their gods. These highly valued objects are really worthless. They themselves are witnesses that this is so, for their idols neither see nor know. No wonder those who worship them are put to shame. Who but a fool would make his own god-an idol that cannot help him one bit! All who worship idols will stand before the Lord in shame, along with all these craftsmen-mere humans-who claim they can make a god. Together they will stand in terror and shame.

1 Corinthians 5:1-2 . . . I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you, something so evil that even the pagans don’t do it. I am told that you have a man in your church who is living in sin with his father’s wife. And you are so proud of yourselves! Why aren’t you mourning in sorrow and shame? And why haven’t you removed this man from your fellowship?

Our sin can cause us to feel ashamed. Would you be ashamed for your worst sins to be played as a video before all your friends and family?

Romans 6:20-21 . . . In those days, when you were slaves of sin, you weren’t concerned with doing what was right. And what was the result? It was not good, since now you are ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom.

We can feel ashamed of the sin in our past lives. If we think about our sin, we can’t help but be ashamed of it. So instead of hiding it, ask God to forgive you.

Ezra 8:22-23 . . . I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to accompany us and protect us from enemies along the way. After all, we had told the king, “Our God protects all those who worship him, but his fierce anger rages against those who abandon him.” So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.

It is embarrassing when what we say we believe does not correlate with the way we live.

2 Samuel 10:4-5 . . . Hanun seized David’s ambassadors and shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their robes at the buttocks, and sent them back to David in shame. When David heard what had happened, he sent messengers to tell the men to stay at Jericho until their beards grew out, for they were very embarrassed by their appearance.

Being mistreated can cause us to feel ashamed. That’s because mistreatment dishonors us as persons.

HOW CAN FEELINGS OF SHAME BE USED BY GOD?

1 Peter 4:14, 19 . . . Be happy if you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God will come upon you . . . So if you are suffering according to God’s will, keep on doing what is right, and trust yourself to the God who made you, for he will never fail you.

The shame we suffer because of our relationship with Christ can become notes of joy when we recognize how he lovingly suffered for us.

2 Chronicles 30:15 . . . On the appointed day in midspring, the people slaughtered their Passover lambs. Then the priests and Levites became ashamed, so they purified themselves and brought burnt offerings to the Temple of the Lord.

Our shame should lead us to God, not away from God.

2 Thessalonians 3:14 . . . Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed.

Titus 2:8 . . . Let your teaching be so correct that it can’t be criticized. Then those who want to argue will be ashamed because they won’t have anything bad to say about us.

Sometimes we must allow others to become ashamed of their sins so they have the possibility of being reconciled to God.

1 Corinthians 4:14-16 . . . I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children. For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you. So I ask you to follow my example and do as I do.

Words of rebuke which lead to shame can also be loving words of warning. Rebuke may not seem very loving, but it can be.

1 Corinthians 6:5 . . . I am saying this to shame you. Isn’t there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these arguments?

Being ashamed can encourage us to take right action or make right decisions.

HOW CAN WE AVOID FEELING ASHAMED?

Psalm 25:2-3 . . . I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.

Psalm 34:5 . . . Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

Psalm 31:17 . . . Don’t let me be disgraced, O Lord, for I call out to you for help. Let the wicked be disgraced; let them lie silent in the grave.

Psalm 25:20 . . . Protect me! Rescue my life from them! Do not let me be disgraced, for I trust in you.

2 Timothy 1:12 . . . That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.

We should trust in God. The more we look to God, the more we get perspective on what brings shame as well as how to deal with needless feelings of shame.

Psalm 119:6 . . .Then I will not be disgraced when I compare my life with your commands.

Psalm 119:78, 80 . . . Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me; meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments. May I be blameless in keeping your principles; then I will never have to be ashamed.

We should be obedient to God. Obedience helps us avoid sinful acts which lead to shame.

2 Timothy 2:15 . . . Work hard so God can approve you. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

We should be diligent. Hard work brings tangible accomplishments which help us avoid needless shame.

1 John 2:28 . . . Now, dear children, continue to live in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.

Our daily lives should reflect our relationship with Christ. A strong fellowship with Christ leaves little place for needless shame.

Isaiah 49:23 . . . Kings and queens will serve you. They will care for all your needs. They will bow to the earth before you and lick the dust from your feet. Then you will know that I am the Lord. Those who wait for me will never be put to shame.

We should wait on the Lord. Lingering in the Lord’s presence helps us bask in his glory. Our shame fades into the background.

PROMISES FROM GOD:

Philippians 1:20 . . . I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that causes me shame, but that I will always be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past, and that my life will always honor Christ, whether I live or I die.

1 John 2:28 . . . Now, dear children, continue to live in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.

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