Beautiful People, 

Shame and guilt have the power to debilitate our walk with Jesus. A culture of guilt and shame was predominant in biblical literature. The antidote to guilt and shame was honor. Honor recognizes and values an individual’s worth, beliefs, and actions. To live honorably, with justice, mercy, and humility, was the standard for all. Unfortunately, that standard was broken numerous times by biblical heroes—heroes of our Faith. So how does God deal with the shame and guilt that manifests due to sin? The Bible calls us to shift our focus from our unfaithfulness to His faithfulness.

 Hebrews 11 depicts a radical entourage of broken men and women who repented and focused on the faithful character of God to do what they could not do. According to the Bible, guilt and shame are combated by two words, “by faith.” By Faith, human shame and guilt were swallowed up by the honor and majesty of Heaven. By Faith, men and women clung to the perfection of God’s character and His word. Faith is a beautiful invitation to an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Faith provides us with confidence that Jesus is sufficient to cover all our shame and guilt through His redemptive work. Faith gives us assurance and hope that we are pleasing to God. It is because of our Faith in the faithfulness of God that Christ is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters. Let this verse sink into the marrow of your souls, “For He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why He is not ashamed to call them brothers” (Hebrews 2:11, ESV). Friends, Jesus is our source of sanctification and honor. He is our honor, and He is not ashamed of you. Your Faith in Him, small as it may be, brings Him great joy—a joy that showers honor. We are honored because of Christ’s beautiful character and sanctification. Live in this; live with the knowledge that Christ is not ashamed of you because of His faithfulness to make you pure and holy! Live in His honor.