Skip to main content

No Shame

Photo by Ben White
I believe one of the most daunting things in my Christian journey is the art of being real, not with others, but with myself and with my Creator. This morning, a remarkably simple scripture sprung from the page and threw darts at my unsuspecting heart. Genesis 2:25 speaks of the time immediately following Eve's entrance into the Garden of Eden. It is written, "The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame."

Wow! Many times, I have felt completely exposed in the presence of my King, but very few are the times I felt unashamed. Usually, I just want to run for cover as Adam and Eve did and hide behind the cloak of denial and feigned ignorance. Not wanting to admit difficulty with those besetting sins that continue to trip us up--gluttony, anorexia, jealousy, inadequacy, rejection, pride, insecurity, arrogance, vanity, alcoholism, drug abuse, or even standing in judgment of those who clearly do not have it all together, not by our standards at least. Adam and Eve felt no shame because they knew no sin. They were innocent. The guilt of sin is what makes us want to flee the scene and hide behind masks of perfection.

Chew on this nugget of truth found in Luke 8:15, "And the seeds that fell on good ground represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God's word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest." When we fall on the Master with complete honesty and we cling to and apply His word to our lives, we become fruitful. I have found the only way to overcome those things I wrestle with in my own life is to first find pure honesty about its existence. Next, true confession to my Savior who washes me, keeps me, and sets my feet back in a secure place is good for this weary soul. Then, the struggle becomes a redemptive story. A story to be shared with others who find themselves in a tiresome, seemingly never-ending battle with themselves. The honest heart reaps a vast harvest!

This biblical account is encouraging to me because once the sin was discovered and dealt with albeit severely in this case, we find in Genesis 3:21 that God Almighty made garments for Adam and Eve "and clothed them."  He clothed them. Know this. We also have a covering through the blood of Jesus.  Because of His sacrifice, we are made righteous. We can, therefore, come boldly before the throne of grace with no shame. One of my favorite scriptures is from Judges 6:34 which begins, "But the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with Himself and took possession of him..."

Love the lyrics of Among the Thirsty, "I am completely surrendering. Finally, giving you everything. You're my Redeemer. I run to the cross because You are more than enough..."

"...Listen to my cry for help. Pay attention to my prayer, for it comes from honest lips."
Psalm 17:1

Labels

Labels:

Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 23, 2014 at 9:30 PM

    Thank you for the encouraging words! I have struggled with this for many of years I have gave it to the Lord so many times but always seem to pick it back up! I know God will take it away if I would let Him but I have to be able to admit my past admit I was abused admit I struggle with so much on a daily basis! Admit that I am struggling with forgiveness! I feel so bound up with these heavy chain the strongholds of my past! I know the Lord has plans for me I have seen Him move in so many ways why can't I just move forward struggling with this God even has given me a sermon on my past wrote it all down have read it 100x but can't seem to soak it in! God help me to stop holding back to walk with you to place my feet firm on your solid rock!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittni BilboOctober 25, 2014 at 9:14 AM

      The past is the past. Tell God EVERYTHING and leave it there. Walk forward and don't give up! Your father is the King of Kings. NOTHING is impossible with Him! Thanks for reading and sharing your heart with me. I will be in prayer for you today. <3

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Trees Are Trees

Source Unknown "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then, God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light." Genesis 1:1-3 Creation was a six-day process that began and ended with the spoken word of God. He created the heavens and the earth, dry land and the seas, vegetation, seed-bearing plants, and trees on fruit-bearing land. He created seasons, living creatures, and man. Our Creator then rested on the seventh day, the day of fulfillment, the completion of His perfect plan. In one of my favorite passages in Genesis, the scripture depicts the scene of the "Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day." Can you picture it? The Creator walking through His very own creation in the early evening enjoying the brilliant, colorful flowers with their fragrance lingering in the air. The reg...
3 comments
Read more

Wake Up Call

How long will you slumber?  The whispered words from Heaven sent a jolt through my spirit as a blaring alarm clock in the early hours of the morning. I sat bolt upright in my bed feeling a divine transformation taking place in the very depths of my being.  It's time to get up! There is work to do. I cannot tell you how many times in the past few months I have absolutely whined about  everything . In part because I have been suspended in the mire of complacency, living an unimpressive life wandering about in an uninspiring, unproductive, lackadaisical spiritual walk.  Feeling  trapped in circumstances out of my control while being rocked by the waves of indecision and doubt and self-degradation, I had been lulled to sleep. I was not trapped. I was stalled. Body, mind, and spirit. Paused. I cannot tell you how many times in the past few months I have absolutely whined about  everything . In part because I have been suspended in the mire of complacency...
2 comments
Read more

Joseph: Treasure Chest

I've so enjoyed the study of Joseph, thus far.  For me, it has been much like finding a treasure chest, cautiously opening the lid, peering in trying to see everything the chest holds.  Layers upon layers, depths upon depths, discovering and analyzing every part of his life recounted in the Bible like examining small gemstones or more accurately witnessing the most beautiful diamond being formed amidst the ugliest circumstances.  "Natural diamonds are formed about 100 miles beneath the earth's surface where carbon rich rocks are melted by the heat of the earth's mantle, a layer of liquid lava rock, and are compressed by the enormous pressure of the many miles of earth above them. As the earth churns, the heated rock may move upwards away from the heat and cool over time, which can form diamonds if the conditions are just right. It takes hundreds of thousands of years for the process to take place." (ehow.google)  To simplify--high temperature, high pressur...
Post a Comment
Read more