ROMANS 10:11

“For the Scripture says, ‘WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.’”

I was so fortunate as a child that my parents did not shame me. They laid a good bit of the ole hickory stick to a certain part of my anatomy, but they never shamed me. I was also blessed that I never had a teacher who thought shaming a student was a good idea. No, I was always encouraged. Shaming someone into a correct behavior never works long term. You may get an immediate reaction, but it won’t stick.

Paul goes back to Isaiah in today’s verse. In Isaiah 28:16 we read, “Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a tested stone, A precious cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. The one who believes in it will not be disturbed.’” In the Septuagint, which is the Greek translation of the Old Testament, kataischuno is used to translate the Hebrew word for “disturbed,” which just so happens to be the same word Paul uses which is translated as “shame.” It seems Paul had this passage on his mind, as his mind was always on Christ.

APPLICATION

Some scholars think Paul had Psalm 25:3 in mind. “Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed; Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed.” What a contrast – unashamed or shamed. Which do you prefer? Having spent almost forty years working with children, I can tell you some horror stories of shame heaped on them by adults in their lives. Nobody, much less a child, should be shamed. Held accountable? Yes, but not shamed.

God will never, ever shame you. If you are feeling shamed by some behavior you are in, that is not of God. God will confront you of your sins. That’s because He loves you. He does that to draw you close, not shame you away. Shame causes you to cower and shrink, not grow. And God is all about growth. Shameful behavior needs to be stopped. But know where that shame is coming from – the one who will do anything to keep you in his grip and under his thumb (the devil).

I love 1 Corinthians 1:27 where Paul writes, “but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,…” God will take care of the “wise” and the “strong” of this world. He can put them in their place when they rebel against Him. But you, dear child of God, He wants to lift up and remove any shame. Come to Him today and feel His unashamedly, passionate love for you.

I know I can approach You, Lord, without any shame. You only want to help me grow and flourish in my walk with You.

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