Freedom from Shame

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:31-37 ESV).

 

Not long ago Mary and I were sitting with Kyle, Brandy, Faith and Logan in front of the outdoor fireplace enjoying the warmth of the fire and great conversation. Most of the chat revolved around the coming of this summer’s deadlines in applying for entrance into various colleges and universities. Faith was especially animated as she described the importance of the decision in picking a major by July 1^st. Both her dad and I assured her that it was not a “final” decision. I shared with her that I changed my major after my second semester at A&M. That piqued her curiosity and she pressed the issue of why I would do such a thing. Not wanting to get into my years before I became a Christian, Kyle rescued me and simply explained that I was much more interested in being a cadet than a student and my grades determined my change in majors. He was very gracious in his explanation. It could have been much worse!

 

I did love everything about becoming an Aggie, and being in the corps was a big part of that. However, there are many things that I did (or didn’t do) that are not topics I’m very comfortable about sharing. Life is often that way for all of us. It is a part of shame. Shame is a heavy burden. Shame weighs us down and hinders us from being who God has intended us to be. Sometimes shame is raw like an open wound, and with terrifying memories. We can also carry shame for years, living with insecurities, fears, and a sense of self-disdain because of hurtful actions and exchanges from long ago. Shame holds us down with the weights of judgment, condemnation, expectations, disapproval, and more.

 

The freedom of resurrection life in Jesus, however, releases the burden of shame in our lives. Jesus carried our shame to the cross. He was betrayed, beaten, humiliated, and exposed, giving up his life to pay for our sin so that we might be released from the tyranny and shame of sin. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, when we ask God for forgiveness, we are forgiven. God’s love frees us to let go of the ugliness of the past and move forward in confidence, knowing “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). And nothing can separate us from God’s love. Learning to live in the confidence and acceptance of this new identity takes some time to figure out. While you work through the process, know that God is on your side, desiring that you live in the freedom and fullness of understanding who you are as a holy and dearly loved child of God.