His Grace, Not Shame, Transforms Us

This revelation is so simple, it really does take a theologian to mess it up.

We are forgiven of all our sins - all of them!

I used to live my life trying to preempt the hurt and upset in my mind.

It was a life of combing every hurt and trying to preempt the pain.

A sense of shame will come at us in our daily walk.

This world is saturated in condemnation, even if people think that they can ignore their conscience and do and say what they please.

This conscience inside of us does not die with neglect or busy work.

It takes the blood of Jesus, the blood which cleanses, and keeps on cleansing.

We are not supposed to feel guilty about. . .anything.

He took away all that guilt and shame for us at the Cross.

Now, as for how we learn how to live. . .

Doesn't that require shame, a sense of wrong-doing, for us to live right?

What does the Bible say?

"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:": (2 Corinthians 5: 14)

His love holds us in place.

The rules of "don't, don't, don't" don't cut it, either:

20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21(Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh." (Colossians 2: 20-23)

If the "No's" don't work, then what does change us? The grace of God!

"11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2: 11-14)

We understand more about the grace of God, the more that we see Jesus:

"2Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord," (2 Peter 1: 2)

Guess what else transforms us? The Holy Spirit, as we see more of Jesus!

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3: 17)

and also

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12: 1-2)

This revelation cannot be stated enough. His grace, not shame, changes us!