We have all done something in our lifetime of which we are ashamed. Shame can be a heavy burden to bear. The bible gives us several examples of this. Scripture also gives us examples of how merciful God is in relieving us of that burden.
I would like to look at three of these examples. King David, the Apostle Peter and the Apostle Paul.
2 Samuel 11-12:15 King David did something that I'm not sure he was ever able to move past. Something for which God pronounced a pretty severe judgement against David (2 Samuel 12:9-15). But in doing so, He forgave David of this grievous act (2 Samuel 12:13 and 1 John 1:9).
The king was so grieved by his own sin that he wrote out his guilt in a beautiful Psalm (Psalm 51). Sometimes, beauty can come from the ash heap of our guilt and shame, when we have a truly contrite heart (Isaiah 61:1-3).
In John 13, Jesus is talking rather cryptically about his trial and subsequent crucifixion and Peter boldy proclaims that he would lay down his life for Jesus (John 13:36-38). But when the time came, Peter promptly denied that he even knew Jesus (Mark 14:66-71). And after hearing the rooster crow for the second time, Peter, wracked with guilt, broke down (Mark 14:72).
I'm not sure that would be something that most men could move past. But Christ Jesus in His wisdom and mercy, removed the guilt from Peter (Mark 16:1-7 and 1 Corinthians 15:3-5). We don't know what was said in the conversation between Jesus and Peter, but it lifted the weight of the world from Peter. Jesus once again appeared to His disciples by the sea (John 21:1-19) and once again, spoke only to Simon Peter.
Peter was able to move past the guilt and shame to become one of greatest preachers of the gospel in history.
We are introduced to a man named Saul in the book of Acts, at the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:54-58). Saul of Tarsus was bent on stamping out this movement The Way (Acts 8:1-3 and Acts 9:1-2). But, again, in His wisdom Christ Jesus turned a staunch enemy into a staunch ally. He converted Saul on the spot (Acts 9:3-9). Saul had been struck blind by his encounter with Christ on the road. Jesus arranged for a disciple to go to Saul and heal him (Acts 9:10-19). After gathering his strength Saul immediatlely began to preach the gospel of Christ Jesus.
King Jesus would eventually change Saul's name to Paul. Paul continued to preach and would occasionally recount his experience on the road to Damascus and his persecution of the church (Acts 22:6-21, Acts 26:12-18, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 and Philippians 3:1-11).
Paul spoke of a "thorn in his flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). Some say it may be referring to the guilt he has over persecuting the church. We can only guess what it may have been. In any case, Paul moved past that guilt in the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and preached the gospel to the world.
God is AWESOME!
1 comments:
I think of Paul (aka Saul) as the unlikely one before Jesus wrecked him on his way to do what he truly believed was right. If God will use a donkey and a former murderer He will use us, if we will be obedient to His voice.
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