Dying by the RulesSample

In yesterday’s reading, we learned about the danger of judging others when we try to earn salvation by keeping the Law. The other side of the coin is equally damaging.

In the case of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18), the tax collector’s shame could easily have prevented him from finding salvation. If he doubted God’s willingness to save him for one moment, he could have missed it. That is what shame does. Each failure to keep God’s commandments can become so large in our minds that we believe that we are beyond forgiveness.

Judas Iscariot found himself in a pit of shame after betraying Jesus (Acts 1). He could not imagine a comeback from the mess he made, so he killed himself (v.18). Was the sin Judas committed so much worse than Peter’s denial of Jesus? And yet Peter ended up as the founder of Christ’s church, but Judas lost his life. By giving in to shame and self-condemnation.

When we rely on keeping God’s commandments to earn salvation, we are doomed to a life of shame. Each time we fail, we go down a downward spiral of shame. Regret, isolation, depression, and death. And because we will definitely fail every single day, a continuous life of shame will eventually suck the last bit of life out of us.

Paul understood the power that shame and condemnation can have over us. I wonder if he wrote these words for himself to read again when the devil reminds him of the sins of his prior life. “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death” (Romans 8:1-2, NLT).

Have you done something that you believe is beyond forgiveness? Do you try even harder to live “better” each time you fail to keep God’s Law?

Let us break free of the power of shame and condemnation by accepting Christ’s gift of salvation through grace. Let us stand proud, looking forward to the day when we meet Him who kept the Law on our behalf. “And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame. Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God’s children” (1 John 2:28-29, NLT).