Shame to Glory
Shame is the painful feeling arising from the consciousness of something dishonourable. Whether we feel shame for what we’ve done, or what’s been done to us, it presents us with a decision, sometimes a split second one. What we decide can either cause more pain, or be turned to glory. Paul writes to the Ephesians while being shamed for ministering to the Gentiles. In the midst of this shame it’s what he doesn’t do that teaches us how to deal with shame.
Scripture
Ephesians 3:11-13 ESV This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
Bible Study Questions
God’s plan for the Church, realised in Jesus
What did Jesus Christ do to realise God’s plan for the Church?
Ephesians 3:11-13 ESV This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Colossians 1:21-23 ESV And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Access to God with boldness and confidence
Jesus takes away our sin and reproach and gives us confidence to be able to approach God, no matter what we’ve done, or what has been done to us. What makes this possible?
Ephesians 3:12 ESV in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
Hebrews 4:16 ESV Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Why would we not have boldness and access to God?
Why did Jesus have to make this possible, what would prevent us from approaching God’s throne?
Genesis 3:8-10 ESV And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.”
Don’t lose heart
Paul is experiencing the pain of shame, and the reproach of people. What does Paul not want to happen to the believers in Ephesus, as they hear about the way he is being reproached because of his preaching of the Gospel to Gentile believers like them?
Ephesians 3:13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory
1 Corinthians 12:26-27 ESV If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
2 Timothy 1:8-12 ESV Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.
God turns shame to Glory
Enduring shame for doing the right thing results in God turning that shame around and causing it to bring us honour. What glory is Paul reminding the Ephesians of?
Ephesians 3:13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory
James 1:12 ESV Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Jesus took our sin, and our shame
When our sin is exposed or is even threatened to be exposed we experience shame. Jesus did not only take our sin on His shoulders, He took our shame. He then took that shame and turned it around to glorify God. How does Jesus turn the shame that He experienced on the cross to Glory to God?
Psalms 69:9 ESV For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.
Hebrews 12:1-3 ESV Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Colossians 2:13-15 ESV And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Jesus reverses shame
When we’re experiencing the pain of shame (whether unjustly or deservedly) we should stop, remember we’re at risk of sinning, and making our sin and shame even worse. Then we must remember that God can turn it around for glory, and ask Him for wisdom and strength. We can either try to lose the pain at all cost, or use it for His glory.
Philippians 2:3-11 ESV Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.