December 21, 2011
They have treated My people’s brokenness superficially, claiming, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they acted so abhorrently? They weren’t at all ashamed. They can no longer feel humiliation. Therefore, they will fall among the fallen (Jeremiah 6:14-15, source Holman Christian Standard Bible 2003).
Our culture has disavowed shame as being always bad, and to be avoided. We seem to see shame as a false and invalid feeling. That weeping prophet Jeremiah describes our state more accurately.
Shame has been renounced. It has been forgotten. All feelings are equally valid in such thinking. The thinking is wrong. (Actually, it’s more accurately termed thinking avoidance.)
Shame can help us recognize our sin and need for a holy God.
That’s the problem. We don’t want that reminder.
Our lack of shame is probably a contributing reason Christ-Mass is more sentimental silliness (or brutal battles for meaningless merchandise) than reflection on the reason for the Incarnation: our relentless rebellion.
