“because I know this will lead to my salvation through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all courage, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose. I am torn between the two. I long to depart and be with Christ—which is far better— but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that, because of my coming to you again, your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound.
Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel, not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your salvation—and this is from God. For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.” Philippians 1:19-30 CSB

To start this day off is difficult. Truth be told, this absolutely ate my lunch, or at least 7 little words did.

“I WILL NOT BE ASHAMED ABOUT ANYTHING”

I honestly don’t know about you, but to me shame is a cruel monster that likes to hide under my bed and come out at the right wrong time. As a very young Christian, in high school and college, I lived a very prideful, self-centered, sinful lifestyle. As I matured in my faith, and grew up into adulthood, I realized all the things that I was carrying with me, all the things that filled my bag of shame. I tried to live better, be nicer, do good. I thought that since I had professed Christ I would need to make up for all the wrong I had done. But boy was I wrong! Nothing removed the burden of my guilt and shame. In Philippians 1, Paul exhorted the believers to live a life worthy of the Gospel. Yet how does one do that when they carry the burden of guilt and shame like Santa’s toy bag tossed across their shoulder? Answer: YOU CAN’T. You want joy and growth in the faith?

Understand this…

To live worthy of the Gospel is not to deny your sin and shame. Neither is it to carry it around as baggage. Confess it. Lay it out bare before the Lord. Acknowledge The Savior who wiped your slate clean in God’s eyes. Does that mean man’s view of you will be different? No. Does it mean you no longer need to consider your own ability to sin? Of course you do. Does that mean you will bear the consequences of your actions? Yes, just not eternally. It means you live in the light of all this knowing forgiveness from The Savior fully and your shame no more.

As Kingdom citizens we are to contend together for the faith of The Gospel, without fear of those who oppose us. Opposition has many forms. Verbal, physical, mental. It also comes when we refuse to remove the broken shackles from our lives and walk out of our prison into Freedom in Christ. Christ has removed your baggage. Trust Him.

Questions for Reflection:

• What’s holding you back?
• What lie have you believed about forgiveness?
• With what do you need to trust Christ?

Father, You alone have the power to save. Thank you for completely removing my sin and shame. I owe my life entirely to You as a thanks offering. My You receive all glory and honor.
Amen.