For Shame
Many of us are familiar with the discussions we have from time to time about the little word “for.” Some people believe that “for” in Acts 2:38 means “because of” and that we are baptized because we are already saved. However, “for” can mean “in order to.” We need to understand that the same word (in Greek and English) is found in Matthew 26:28. It is very clear in that passage that Jesus’s blood was not shed because sins were already forgiven, but that His blood was shed in order that this might be the case.
Lost in this discussion is the fact that “for” can have another meaning. When somebody says that he or she is for a particular athletic team, politician, proposal, etc. they are speaking the language of support and allegiance. It is in that sense of the use of the word “for” that I am for shame.
I’m old enough to remember when there was such a thing as shame. Sometimes, back in those days, somebody would do something that was considered to be unacceptable behavior and they would be told, “You should be ashamed of yourself.” Some shorter versions of that were, “Shame on you” or “For shame.”
I was recently reminded of something that happened over a decade ago. A young celebrity died mysteriously. (I suppose that “celebrity” is an appropriate word for her. She was among what seems to be a growing number of people in our society who are not famous for any particular accomplishment. They are just famous for being famous.)
As the news of her death was made public, three different men claimed to be the father of her young baby. Of course, none of them was her widower. In fact, one was married to another “celebrity.” Instead of slinking off into some corner because of their disgraceful lifestyles, these men and their lawyers boldly and proudly provided some of the details about their “relationships” with her.
Whatever happened to the day when people who lived like this were not celebrities and their lifestyles were not accepted as normal? Whatever happened to such things as decency, honesty, purity, and modesty?
Whatever happened to shame?
Before we get the idea that shame (or a lack thereof) is no big deal, maybe we need to read Jeremiah 6:15.
Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination?
No! They were not at all ashamed;
Nor did they know how to blush.
Therefore they shall fall among those who fall;
At the time I punish them,
They shall be cast down, says the Lord. (emphasis added)
Along with informing us about what God thinks about those who have no shame, this verse also should make us do some serious self-examination. In a section of that verse which I did not highlight, we learn that the people of Jeremiah’s day no longer knew how to blush.
It is not difficult to think of forms of entertainment, what passes for “fashion,” language, jokes that are told, lifestyles and a host of other things that used to cause people to blush. Sadly, it is all too often the case now that these things are accepted. Not only are they accepted, they are promoted (some would even say flaunted). Those who disagree with this type of thinking are criticized, minimized, and ostracized.
Those who continue to hold to and promote God’s standards of decency may be in the minority. That is often the case. At the same time, I believe that, in eternity, all of us will learn that it was important to be for shame.
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AUTHOR: Jim Faughn
