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Post details: Ashamed?

09/18/09

Permalink 01:48:39 pm, Categories: By Emily
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Ashamed?

Oh yes I am. Apparently I have not been delivered of my shame just yet anyway. Have you ever thought about the ways a person could possibly be ashamed of Jesus? I had a major slap in the face just recently--due to my inability to stand up for Jesus. I've had this friend I've known for about fifteen years. I lost contact with him, and have just recently found him on Facebook. Turns out, he's embraced the homosexual lifestyle with full force. I sent him a friend request and he never answered me. A couple of weeks later I sent him a mail asking why he wouldn't talk to me...

Here's his response:
"Hey hun...I know u'r a beautiful person & I want to say hi...I just worry a bit I guess because it's taken so many yrs to accept myself how I was born (gay) & ok I know u'r religious (which I respect cuz my mom is too, etc) ...I would never want to change u but I guess I worry u might want to do that to me or judge me & just don't want to go thru that again, etc. I'd luv to reconnect & be FB friends....I'm the sweetest guy around & from my memories of u, I know u r too...just talking out loud right now (thanx to a few too many beers..haha)...what r ur thoughts?...am I worrying fr nothing?"

So, you know what MY RESPONSE WAS? Shoot, I'm too embarrassed to even put it on here. Something along the lines of: "Oh, I won't judge you....oh no, not me, I can keep my beliefs to myself...I won't force you to believe anything I believe..." blah blah blah.

I'm ashamed, and would like to run and cover my face in embarrassment!

Do you know what Jesus says those who are ashamed of Him?

Luke 9:26
For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His [own] glory, and [in His] Father's, and of the holy angels.

OUCH! I have since repented...and I know I have been forgiven....

These things are a big deal though. These little "slips" of denial. No different than Peter, and his words when asked if he was one of Jesus' disciples--"He denied it and said, "I am not!"

I need to stop this. I write my struggles for a couple of reasons. It's so common amongst us, yet we are so ashamed even of our own selves to admit that is indeed what we have done! Also, I want to remind all of us of the sobering words Jesus says of those who deny Him. He will be ashamed of us. I do not want Him to be ashamed of me. I do not even want the thought to cross His mind.....
I am so sorry...

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Permalink 6 comments

Comments:

Comment from: Trent [Member] · http://www.GraceHead.com
Hey Emily!
Just curious .. .what would you have liked to say to him in retrospect?
Permalink 09/18/09 @ 16:11
Comment from: emilyc [Member] · http://www.myspace.com/emilylou21
Well, Trent, had I gotten that far, I would liked to have told him how I believe that homosexuality is wrong and that it is a way of life that can be self destructive and how much Jesus loves him and wants better for him. I will not personally judge him, because that's God's business. That's why I asked the question in Bible study on Thurs about associating with those of different beliefs or about being separate from those who do not share similar faith. I want to be friends with him, but what is it to discuss everything but our Lord? For me to say I will not talk about my Saviour? That's my denial of Jesus in that situation. He is still my friend on there and I still need to deal correctly with the situation. I am not sure WHAT to say now that I have said I will not push my beliefs on him. Any thoughts? Everything in my life is related. The Lord is teaching me something here.
Permalink 09/18/09 @ 17:27
Comment from: emilyc [Member] · http://www.myspace.com/emilylou21
Shooh, I posted that six times...:) That's what I get for trying to respond on my phone.. :)
Permalink 09/18/09 @ 20:30
Comment from: Trent [Member] · http://www.GraceHead.com
Hey Em,
Don't sweat it. Just learn from it and be open to what the Spirit can lead you to do about it.

God's grace makes you sufficient for all things. What it doesn't do is keep you in shame for mistakes in the past.
:-)

=Trent
Permalink 09/20/09 @ 01:31
Comment from: becky [Visitor]
So glad you posted this. I struggle with this same issue myself. Wanted to share a few things. First, sometimes the Lord doesn't have us connect with people for a reason. Second, your light must be shining because this person sees it. Third, yeah, it is nice that you are wanting to be accepting of this person and love them, but you are right we can't toss Jesus aside to do it.
Permalink 09/20/09 @ 23:03
Comment from: emilyc [Member] · http://www.myspace.com/emilylou21
Hey Becky,
Thanks for taking the time to write a comment. Maybe he (my friend) sees the light...but what if I'm hiding it under a basket? He can't see very much of it. I'm not hating myself over it...because I've already been set free... I just want to shine brightly for the Lord, I just keep falling over myself!
But here's the good news: FALL DOWN,CRAWL TO JESUS, REPENT...He'll help you up. :)Next time, hopefully, we can remember where that big boulder in the road was.
Permalink 09/20/09 @ 23:08

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