4) We must have SHAME for our sin. This is definately not a modern idea. At all costs we are taught to avoid feeling shame for anything we do. Shame acts like a gauge to point us to Repentance. Look again to scripture and how Watson expounds this point...(Ez. 43:10)
a) Every sin we commit makes us guilty, and guilt usually breeds shame. Until Adam sinned, he was not ashamed to be naked.
b) In every sin there is much unthankfulness, we have sinned against God when all He's given us are blessings and mercy. (Isaiah 1:2)
c) Sin has made us naked & deformed in God's eye, stripping us of our cover of holiness.
d) My sin put Christ to shame, He bore it all through the humility of the suffering of the cross.
e) Many of my sins are in league with Satan, a cause for shame. He often stirs my passions.
f) Sin turns men into beasts. (Ps. 49:12, Luke 13:32, Matt. 7:15, Job 11:12) God's image is defaced, reason is eclipsed, conscience stupified, a reason for shame.
g) In all sin is folly. (Jer. 4:22, Prov. 14:18) Is not he a fool who labors more for the bread that perishes than for the bread of life? Or he that will believe a temptation before a promise?
h) We should have shame, for the sin we commit is worse than the sins of a Heathen. We act against more light, & against a clearer conviction because we have the oracles of God.
i) My sin is worse than the sins of devils. I should be filled with shame because I have examples to learn from; when they sinned, they were instantly damned.
When you first read through this, how does it hit you? I was agreeing with each point & at the same time realizing how often I try to set aside any feelings of shame. To know God is to know He is full of GRACE, but to dive into the depths of this Grace, we must plummet to the depths of our sin & shame to know how much we need to be saved from. Otherwise, we stay splashing around in the shallow puddles of grace with very little power or freedom.
Father, may we feel the conviction of Holy Shame & REPENT.
2 comments:
It is so important to see our sin and feel shame over it. I've asked God to remind me how much I hurt Him when I sin. I grow tired of failing Him. I hate my ugly heart and mind. Like Paul I do the things I shouldn't do and don't do the things I should. Lately to combat the meanspirited thoughts that come to my mind I recall scripture. I suppose the way to fight against my mind is to think of what is pure, lovely - true and thank God for His lovingkindness. Who am I to think my sins are less than someone else's? Such favor He has shown. 2 Sam. 7:18 Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that Thou hast brought me this far?
Recently, probably because Missy and I were considering the true meaning of repentance (before she got hold of this incredible book), I really began thinking about the oft-memorized Hebrews 12:1-2... particularly v.2: "Jesus.. who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, DESPISING the SHAME, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Well, that got me to thinking, why was he ashamed? He was up there bleeding and dying for my sins, what is there to be ashamed about? I went round and round about it my mind. Then one Thursday, it hit me (I'm kinda slow). When I do wrong, there is a stab of pain and then the lingering sick feeling for knowing I did wrong. I am indeed ashamed. On crucifixion day they beat the daylights out of the sin-free Jesus, and added to that
he felt the shame and guilt I feel when I sin. Multiply that times billions. Wouldn't that shame alone would kill a person? No one could stand that. It's remarkable to me he lived 3 hours. He who knew NO sin BECAME sin on my behalf. For the joy set before Him (my redemption?)he endured the cross. And he despised the shame. Glory to God - what other religion has THAT kind of God?
Post a Comment