December 5, 2007
“Love Replaces Shame”
Dear Friend,
This past Sunday, we discussed the unproductive nature of shame. Shame robs us of the strength and the nobility to attempt to be a force for good.
The Greek philosopher, Zeno, wrote about 300 years before Christ, “Fear is an expectation of evil.” He then categorized shame as a type of fear when he wrote, “Shame is fear of disgrace.”
I sense that Zeno was thinking in the right direction. Fear affects our expectations. When fear expresses itself as shame, we feel the expectation of being disgraced or humiliated. The Scriptures teach us that “perfect love casts out all fear.” So, God’s perfect love for me replaces my fear of disgrace; and shame relinquishes its control of my thoughts and feelings.
I then act in a Christ-like way, and my love for the people around me reaches perfection when I desire to help and strengthen them, rather than shame or humiliate them. Love replaces fear and they thrive in life.
As shame robs us of high expectations for the future, so love inspires us and fills us with faith that the best days of our lives are just before us.
Doc
Dr. Dave Collings
Lead Pastor
Christ Church
