Daily Nuggets of Grace Part 2 Unashamed!Sýnishorn

Fully Accepted!

Peace in a storm, stability in the face of insults, calm amidst rejection, and confidence when being accused.

This was Jesus, and it can be you as well.

Jesus knew his identity. As the Living Stone, He knew that even though people turned against Him, God still stood with Him. The Father saw Him as precious, and that was all Jesus needed. When He was falsely accused, abandoned by His close friends, disowned by His most vocal supporter, and insulted by His enemies, Jesus was not simply keeping calm on the outside by suppressing His emotions. Jesus had perfect peace inside.

He knew He was chosen by God and precious to Him. He felt no shame even though the people around Him had all turned against Him.

When people insulted Him, He did not retaliate as we do today because of our shame. When people mistreated Him, He did not try to defend Himself, guarding His excellent name. He entrusted Himself to the Father who loved Him.

"You also, like living stones…" That's how 1 Peter 2: 5 begins. The peace that rises above shame was not only for Jesus; it’s for you! You also were chosen by God. You also are precious to Him. You can also stop trying to defend yourself and put on a good show for others to see. You can stop living under the control of this false motivator called shame.

Instead, you can rest as Jesus did in the hands of Him who judges justly, knowing He fully accepts and deeply loves you. Entrust your reputation to Him. Hand over the source of your shame to your Father in Heaven. He chose you and calls you precious.

Knowing your true identity, that you are truly accepted in Christ, cuts the legs off shame. It no longer has anything to stand on. Its control over you is released because you are no longer so concerned about what others think. You rest, instead, in God’s grace.

Reflect and Respond

How would your shame lose its power if you rested daily in the reality that you are a living stone, chosen by God and precious to Him?

Pray

Heavenly Father, I am tired of shame running my life. Help me to see myself as You see me. Help me to know I am entirely accepted in Christ so I can stop being controlled by shame.