Romans 10:11

"Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."

Shame is an ugly emotion to me. It can either be heaped onto to someone by others, or placed there by oneself because of the perceived and elevated status of another comparatively. In the early days of Palestine, the Jews who possessed the Law (i.e., Old Testament) shamed the Gentiles both overtly and covertly. And some Gentiles shamed themselves because they didn't have what the Jews presumably possessed, a "right" standing with God based upon their external appearances and practices (e.g., phylacteries - Matthew 23:5).

But Jesus is the great equalizer. (He is not the great neutralizer as most would like to think and believe.) In this text Paul quotes directly from the Old Testament (i. e., Isaiah 28:16 & Isaiah 49:23) and reinforces this truth. Interesting that even before the Messiah arrived in flesh on earth that the early prophets professed that He'd be an equalizer. And now Paul professes that there's no difference between Jew and Gentile in Christ. (cf. Colossians 3:11) And so, there's essentially no difference between me and any other person professing Jesus as Lord.

Now what does this mean for me as a Christian? First and foremost, I have no reason for shame in the eyes of God. I'm forgiven and made righteous. This is liberating! It also means that I need not be intimidated or shamed when other Christians walk a more holy lifestyle than me. When I witness another's zeal and purity, this should spark my own zeal and purity, not shame my current progress in Christ. Finally, all who come to Jesus come with the exact same heritage, the sin of death, and He's the one who gives rebirth and raises from the dead. We brought nothing to Him; He bought everything for us.

I will be around few Christians today. Jesus my King is the one I proudly serve and worship. I need not be shamed, nor ashamed of Him, especially in the presence of those who are still dead and desparately need life. (cf. Romans 1:16)