It’s Shameful to Walk with Jesus. There’s No Other Way.

Our pastor said something in passing that really gripped me; maybe it’s just me but I don’t think so. “…we may have to take the walk of shame…”. Yup. He was in Ruth, but it took me to Paul.

How will we ever grow into true followers of Christ if we don’t really desire to be like Him? And yet until we’re willing to take the walk of shame there can be no exaltation of Jesus’ name.

No pain, no gain, right? Without shame we’re not even in the game! Jesus said following Him required daily self-denial AND taking up the cross (dying to self, living unto God – Gal. 2:20-21).

Dead, yet alive! So, what does a person who’s dead to self desire? We won’t be true to our faith until we’re willing to risk shame and lose our name in pursuit of the One who is the faith.  

I don’t think I’m there yet, how about you? Maybe you’re more like you and I’m more like me than we care to admit. For Paul it came down to a willingness to yield to loss so that he could gain:

Phil. 3:1-7. He let go of doctrine being his identity and instead chose devotion to Jesus.

Phil 3:7-9. He let go of positions and possessions being his identity and chose to personify Jesus.

Phil 3:10-15. He let go of whatever else would keep him from being truly like Christ. He knew he hadn’t arrived but committed to the pursuit knowing it would be both painful and shameful.

Here’s the rub: We who claim the name of Jesus are exhorted by Jesus and the Apostle Paul about what it will cost to grow into true followers of Jesus – everything! And shame is the path.

It makes sense. What does a person on his way to be crucified get to keep? Yet before we can take up our cross daily, we’ll have to lay down our will. We visit Gethsemane before Calvary – daily.

We’re going to have to leave some doctrinal distinctives, religious drama, and whatever else shapes our persona on that walk of shame that leads to being fully devoted to following Jesus.

Identify what defines you and would be difficult to give up. Count the cost: No pain, no gain. No shame, no true exaltation of Jesus’ name. It’s your name or His? And this we chose step by step.

Be careful not to be hard on yourself. We’re all a work in progress, and it takes yielding to God’s word to make progress. What is it you can let go of and risk being shamed to take your next step?

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