Facts about Shame, Part 3
10. Conviction takes the shame caused by our sin and exposes it, brings it to the light, corrects, rebukes, chastens1.
And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment. John 16:8
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. John 3:19-21
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said:“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:8-14
“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land.” Isaiah 1:18,19
If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. Matthew 18:15
For whom the LORD loves He reproves, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:12 2
11. Conviction will bring honor in place of shame.
Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline, But he who regards conviction will be honored. Proverbs 13:18
12. We, who are being made holy, have been made perfect forever by Jesus’ sacrifice (where He took the penalty upon Himself). God disciplines us so we may share in His holiness.
God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:10-11
For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14
13. We were cleansed at the cross once and for all.
What does this mean?
- Living as one who is sensitive to the gift of conviction, and who allows the training of discipline to produce a harvest of righteousness and peace in your life (Hebrews 12:11).
- At the moment of revelation, receiving Jesus’ sacrifice for yourself and knowing you are cleansed. From that point on, fleeing from anything that defiles the body and spirit (2 Corinthians 7:1).
14. God no longer remembers our shameful acts; His love covered our sins. Furthermore, our conscience is cleansed from these acts!
“Cleanse”, in the original Greek3, means:
- to free from defilement of sin and from faults
- to purify from wickedness
- to free from guilt of sin, to purify
- to consecrate by cleansing or purifying
- to consecrate, dedicate
Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more. Hebrews 10:17b
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! Hebrews 9:14
Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. Ephesians 5:25b-27
... and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Acts 15:9
Do not call anything impure that God has made clean. Acts 10:15
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Corinthians 7:1
[1] https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/elegcho.html;
https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/hebrew/nas/yakach.html;
https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/hebrew/nas/towkechah.html
[2] Similar verses: Revelation 3:19; Job 5:17; Hebrews 12:1-11
[3] https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/katharizo.html