Todays Focus: Embracing God's Grace and Overcoming Shame
As we prepare for a new year, it's natural to reflect on our past and contemplate our future.
While reflecting on our past many times we run from God and others, burdened by the weight of our failures and ugly sins.
But what if there was a way to break free from this cycle of shame and embrace a new identity rooted in God's love and grace?
The story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden provides a powerful illustration of how shame entered the world. After sinning, they hid from God, ashamed of their nakedness and disobedience. This pattern of hiding from shame has persisted throughout human history, affecting each of us in many different ways.
But there's good news: we serve a God who doesn't want us to remain in hiding.
While studying on the topic of shame I came across a story in the gospel of Mark that I don't ever remember. Its the story of the young man in Mark 14:51-52.
As Jesus was being arrested, this young man, wearing only a linen cloth, fled naked when the soldiers tried to seize him. I began to think about what it must of felt like for all his disciples that were not there with him when he was taken. Peter denied him 3 times, others followed from a distance once he was arrested and here in Mark we find a young man running for his life, NAKED!
He was Naked and on the run!
What can we learn from these 3 tiny verses. This brief moment in the garden paints a clear picture of shame and the instinct to run and hide.
Yet, it also foreshadows a greater truth: Jesus was about to take on that shame Himself.
Isaiah 50:6 prophesied about the Messiah: "I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting."
Jesus fulfilled this prophecy, enduring not only physical pain but also the deep emotional and spiritual pain of shame. He was stripped, mocked, and crucified naked – a humiliating death reserved for the worst criminals. He was even spit upon! Did you know that spitting on someone in Oklahoma is an act of battery? Its a threat to cause physical harm. This is what Jesus endured for us. WOW!
Why did Jesus willingly endure such shame? He did it for you and me.
He took on the garment of shame so that we could be clothed in His righteousness.
As 2 Corinthians 5:21 declares, "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
This truth should change how we view ourselves and our past. No matter what you've done, no matter how deep your shame, Jesus has already borne it on the cross. His grace is more than adequate to cover your sins and failures.
But how do we practically apply this truth to our lives? How do we come out of hiding and embrace the freedom Jesus offers?
1. Acknowledge your shame: The first step is to be honest with yourself and with God about the areas where you feel ashamed. Stop hiding and bring them into the light. You don't have to live in the darkness of shame.
2. Confess and repent: Take your shame to God in prayer. Confess your sins and express your desire to turn away from them. Remember, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
3. Receive God's forgiveness: This can be the hardest part for many of us. We must choose to believe that God's grace is sufficient to cover all our ugly sins. Replace shame with God's truth: When feelings of shame arise speak these truths:
-You are forgiven, loved, and accepted.
-You are a new creation
-God is not holding this sin over me
4. Have Faith: If we are not careful, shame will lead us to doubt. We will begin doubting Gods forgiveness and love. Like Blind Bartimaeus who cast aside his garment of shame to come to Jesus (Mark 10:46-52), we must. Step out in faith: be willing to leave the old you behind and step into the new life Jesus Christ offers. Blind Bartimaeus in faith cast aside his old identity as a beggar by throwing his garment off before he was healed. That's some big faith.
The new testament has so many of Jesus' interactions with "shameful" people in society – the bleeding woman, tax collectors, prostitutes.
This show us that he doesn't avoid those living in shame; He seeks them out and offers them a new identity.
As we enter this new year, let's make a commitment to live in the freedom Christ has purchased for us. Let's choose to believe that His grace is truly sufficient, that His love is stronger than our shame.
It's time to come out of hiding! Its time to stop running and embrace the abundant life Jesus offers!
2024 was filled with many moments of failure for me. I am sure you can say the same. We must remember that you and I are not defined by our past failures or current struggles. In Him, we are forgiven, we are free from condemnation, and loved my a merciful savior. Don't let shame keep you from experiencing all that God has for you.
As you reflect on this lesson, consider:
-What areas of shame are you still holding onto?
-How might your life change if you came out of hiding and gave your failures to Jesus?
-What can you do you today to come out of hiding and step into the light?
I am believing and praying that 2025 is a year we leave shame behind us and walk confidently in our identity as a beloved child of God.
Don't play the shame game with the enemy. It will keep you in the tomb of regret, and hopelessness.
Remember, the stone of shame has been rolled away – it's time to step out of the tomb and into new life.
Come back weekly on our app or our website at alcupci.org/our-blog to enjoy more post.
As we prepare for a new year, it's natural to reflect on our past and contemplate our future.
While reflecting on our past many times we run from God and others, burdened by the weight of our failures and ugly sins.
But what if there was a way to break free from this cycle of shame and embrace a new identity rooted in God's love and grace?
The story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden provides a powerful illustration of how shame entered the world. After sinning, they hid from God, ashamed of their nakedness and disobedience. This pattern of hiding from shame has persisted throughout human history, affecting each of us in many different ways.
But there's good news: we serve a God who doesn't want us to remain in hiding.
While studying on the topic of shame I came across a story in the gospel of Mark that I don't ever remember. Its the story of the young man in Mark 14:51-52.
As Jesus was being arrested, this young man, wearing only a linen cloth, fled naked when the soldiers tried to seize him. I began to think about what it must of felt like for all his disciples that were not there with him when he was taken. Peter denied him 3 times, others followed from a distance once he was arrested and here in Mark we find a young man running for his life, NAKED!
He was Naked and on the run!
What can we learn from these 3 tiny verses. This brief moment in the garden paints a clear picture of shame and the instinct to run and hide.
Yet, it also foreshadows a greater truth: Jesus was about to take on that shame Himself.
Isaiah 50:6 prophesied about the Messiah: "I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting."
Jesus fulfilled this prophecy, enduring not only physical pain but also the deep emotional and spiritual pain of shame. He was stripped, mocked, and crucified naked – a humiliating death reserved for the worst criminals. He was even spit upon! Did you know that spitting on someone in Oklahoma is an act of battery? Its a threat to cause physical harm. This is what Jesus endured for us. WOW!
Why did Jesus willingly endure such shame? He did it for you and me.
He took on the garment of shame so that we could be clothed in His righteousness.
As 2 Corinthians 5:21 declares, "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
This truth should change how we view ourselves and our past. No matter what you've done, no matter how deep your shame, Jesus has already borne it on the cross. His grace is more than adequate to cover your sins and failures.
But how do we practically apply this truth to our lives? How do we come out of hiding and embrace the freedom Jesus offers?
1. Acknowledge your shame: The first step is to be honest with yourself and with God about the areas where you feel ashamed. Stop hiding and bring them into the light. You don't have to live in the darkness of shame.
2. Confess and repent: Take your shame to God in prayer. Confess your sins and express your desire to turn away from them. Remember, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
3. Receive God's forgiveness: This can be the hardest part for many of us. We must choose to believe that God's grace is sufficient to cover all our ugly sins. Replace shame with God's truth: When feelings of shame arise speak these truths:
-You are forgiven, loved, and accepted.
-You are a new creation
-God is not holding this sin over me
4. Have Faith: If we are not careful, shame will lead us to doubt. We will begin doubting Gods forgiveness and love. Like Blind Bartimaeus who cast aside his garment of shame to come to Jesus (Mark 10:46-52), we must. Step out in faith: be willing to leave the old you behind and step into the new life Jesus Christ offers. Blind Bartimaeus in faith cast aside his old identity as a beggar by throwing his garment off before he was healed. That's some big faith.
The new testament has so many of Jesus' interactions with "shameful" people in society – the bleeding woman, tax collectors, prostitutes.
This show us that he doesn't avoid those living in shame; He seeks them out and offers them a new identity.
As we enter this new year, let's make a commitment to live in the freedom Christ has purchased for us. Let's choose to believe that His grace is truly sufficient, that His love is stronger than our shame.
It's time to come out of hiding! Its time to stop running and embrace the abundant life Jesus offers!
2024 was filled with many moments of failure for me. I am sure you can say the same. We must remember that you and I are not defined by our past failures or current struggles. In Him, we are forgiven, we are free from condemnation, and loved my a merciful savior. Don't let shame keep you from experiencing all that God has for you.
As you reflect on this lesson, consider:
-What areas of shame are you still holding onto?
-How might your life change if you came out of hiding and gave your failures to Jesus?
-What can you do you today to come out of hiding and step into the light?
I am believing and praying that 2025 is a year we leave shame behind us and walk confidently in our identity as a beloved child of God.
Don't play the shame game with the enemy. It will keep you in the tomb of regret, and hopelessness.
Remember, the stone of shame has been rolled away – it's time to step out of the tomb and into new life.
Come back weekly on our app or our website at alcupci.org/our-blog to enjoy more post.
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