Shame Full

Now you may think this a bit odd, as I am a single fella, but this week it was brought to my mind that we are being given an intimate look into God’s “personal life”. There are some parts of marriage that are sacred, and are not shared with others (say no if I am wrong you married people). The intimate wooings between lovers are not to be shared, or demonstrated to others. How many married people would like a up close and personal camera shot into their intimacies? I can imagine very few, especially those who are passionately involved.

How about when you have an argument? Who wants the world to see an argument between you and your spouse? Let’s add unfaithfulness—adultery as the Bible calls it. Would you want that shared? Not that you have been unfaithful, but that they have been unfaithful to you. They are finding love somewhere else; you are not good enough for them. How about now? Do you want the world to come see your shame, your insecurities? You hang your head in shame; isn’t it time to be alone? You certainly would feel that way. You would probably want to throw up.

Now bring into mind the words God uses to bring back Israel :”Whom did you dread and fear, so that you lied, and did not remember me, did not lay it to heart? Have I not held my peace, even for a long time, and you do not fear me?” (Isaiah 57:11). Isaiah 43:22— "Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob; but you have been weary of me, O Israel!” Isaiah 43:24— “You have not bought me sweet cane with money, or satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins; you have wearied me with your iniquities.” This is only the tip of the iceberg. The graphic stuff will come later, much in Ezekiel and Hosea by illustration.

God has chosen in the Old Testament for Israel to be His chosen people, His bride. And the prophets display the shame of God’s devotion to her. He does no wrong, but His alliance to her heaps her shame upon Himself.

And now He claims the Church as His bride. Yet every member brings a load of shame to the relationship. God just loves unconditionally, right? He can just forgive and forget? Isn’t that just what He does? Being God= being forgiving?

Nope. Being holy= no shame allowed into the Holy One’s presence. God does forgive us conditionally, and that condition is better than if it were “unconditional.” He doesn’t forgive Israel or the Church/us just as we are, but rather loves us just as we are—in Christ! He is the spiritual Shame-Bearer. The world (mostly the spiritual right now) stares at the grossness of our sin, and God displays His unexaggeratable love and humbleness toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He has borne our shame, guilt, and punishment and having gone to the lowest place, is yet the Highest of all.