Shame Off YOU
Beginning with Grace
“I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:4).
Grace – let’s begin there. There’s grace for you. You’re not alone. Help is available.
The apostle Paul wrote those words to a church that had many issues, some of which were sexual sin. As he began his letter, he did not start it with a note of guilt, shame, disappointment, or disgust. He began with gratitude and God’s grace.
That’s where God begins with you – not with shame but with grace. The Bible says, “he gives grace generously”(James 4:6 NLT).
Change is possible
Maybe you’ve tried to stop but you can’t. Perhaps you had some short-term success, but it happened again. You feel caught in a cycle of guilt and shame and repeating behaviors you don’t want to do. You might feel like the apostle Paul, who said, “I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway” (Romans 7:18–19 NLT).
If that’s you, there’s grace for you. Friend, change is possible. But the answer is not found in trying harder, beating yourself up, or hiding it and promising to change. It’s found in Jesus Christ. Only He can remove our shame and empower us by His grace to change.
“Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.”
(Romans 7:24–25 NLT)
