Conviction Without Shame
Watching the news one night, I saw this criminal being sentenced after being convicted of a crime. The judge went on a rant, calling the guy shameful, sub-human, and despicable, among other things. The guy probably deserved it, but I was struck by the impact of those words on the crook. He was weeping as his head hung as low as it could go. I couldn’t help but think how much I’m like that crook. Sure, my sins are different. In society’s eyes, I’m fine. But in God’s eyes, me and that poor guy are just alike . . . both sinners . . . both been convicted . . . both have a debt to pay.
God’s conviction is clean and specific. He never berates me when He convicts me. It’s about what I did (or didn’t do) . . . never about who I am. Because I am a new creation in Christ. I am an adopted son of the living God. That’s my identity. It’s never changed nor called into question because of what I’ve done.
As a believer, I’m forgiven. I was forgiven at the Cross, so asking for forgiveness is asking for something I’ve already been given. But there are some steps we are to take beyond that, for our good and the good of the Kingdom. They begin with gratitude, “Thank you Father for your forgiveness.” “Thank you Jesus for paying my debt with your suffering . . . with your blood.” Thanking Him for His forgiveness is critical. Failure to express gratitude comes across as ingratitude. I want Jesus to know how much I appreciate what He did to pay the debt for my sin.
Then comes confession. Admitting our failure to Him is important. Sometimes, He leads us to confess to the person we sinned against, confessing to them and asking them to forgive us. Some folks think that’s all that’s needed but I think there’s more. We’re asked to ‘repent’ . . . to ‘go in the opposite direction’ . . . to turn away from sin and not repeat it. That only works with God’s help . . . with courage and discipline only available from Him. Sometimes He wants us to make restitution, to repay people what we took from them, be it their money, property or even pride. “What can I do to repay you . . . to make things right . . . to make this up to you?” That’s a humble heart seeking the peace of Christ.
There’s a big difference between guilt and conviction. God convicts to help us, to call us into account, to hold a mirror up to us and ask “Is this what Jesus would have done?” The goal of convictions is to grow us. While guilt’s goal is to bring us down, to make us question who we are, to keep us from truly receiving God’s forgiveness and moving on. Jesus died to remove our guilt and shame. It’s His desire that we accept His conviction, be grateful . . . then confess, repent, make restitution and move on in Love to do good deeds. Guilt paralyzes. Conviction motivates and empowers.
Conviction is God’s way of keeping us on track. Always respond, never ignore. It’s for our good and His glory.
One of the many things I love about the Holy Spirit is how specific His conviction is when I screw up.
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Responses (1)
Thanks for this Regi! It appears to me that in many evangelical churches we use guilt and shame to get people to change their behaviors. Doesn’t seem to have worked real well. God gave me this a few years ago…
There is a difference between condemnation and conviction: condemnation makes less of me while conviction makes much of God. There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). If my response to a sin is belittling, self-reproach, or shame-filled I most likely am listening to the voice of the stranger. “I’m such a piece of …” But if my response is repentance, dependance on God, and running to His arms I have heard the voice of my Shepherd. “Thank You Jesus for your love, forgiveness, and mercy. I’m your son. I invite you into this that You would take on this burden.”
I’m convinced that living as a son will result more and more in conviction as I see my Daddy for who He really is. His kindness leads me to repentance.
Thanks for this post!