A Huge Element of Disgrace

Written by Beverley Rayner

Continue to grow as a woman of integrity with our guided lessons.

“Teach me knowledge and good judgment for I believe in your commands.” (Psalm 119:66)

The headline said “A Tearful Impact – there’s a huge element of disgrace.” A former senior minster was sentenced for accepting improper benefits as a government official. The man in question lost his job, and after 30 years of shining public service; he lost his integrity too. “It’s a case of a public servant with just two small errors in judgment who lost his way,” the paper said. The article had a large photo of the tearful man, “actions have consequences and I have to live with those,” the man said.

Many of us can relate to the Apostle Paul’s struggle with sin. Paul was once known as Saul—the man who had been schooled in scripture from his youth, and who had been called by Jesus himself in a blazing encounter on the Damascus road. (Acts 9) Paul said:

When I want to do good evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! (Romans 7:21-24)

It’s not that hard to disagree with the idea that mankind is inherently good, when we see the struggle that well respected men have in doing right. Those who believe that mankind are generally good with just a sprinkling of bad are not hearing God. For He says: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). To fall short means that we can’t possibly hope to measure up to God’s holy standard.

Forgiveness can be ours today for the asking. God has provided a way for us to enter into a right relationship with Him. Jesus died for us, so that we might be eternally forgiven and cleansed from our past. Continue reading V24 of Romans: “we are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

But what of that ongoing struggle we experience with our sinful nature? How can we live triumphantly and not slip back into old habits and wrong choices? Let’s duplicate King David’s plea. Seeking God daily, asking him to lead us in his ways and guide us so that with the Help of His Holy Spirit we will be empowered to make good judgments.

Dear Father God thank you so much for sending Jesus to die for me. I recognize that no amount of goodness on my part will ever release me from my sin. Only through the blood of Jesus can I be forgiven. I receive your forgiveness today. Teach me to walk in your ways today and always. Amen.

Question: Choices today will impact your tomorrows. Are you asking God for guidance?

Tags: Beverly Rayner, Devotional, disgrace, forgiveness, mistake, shame, sinful nature, Women

2 Responses to “A Huge Element of Disgrace”

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Brenda says:

October 4, 2011 at 6:45 am

I so agree that seeking God is the most important thing we can do in our day! Seeking His face and learning from Him who we are as His child, and then walking in that Truth is, for me, the very best way that I can stay away from making poor choices. It is only when I believe that I am a child of the King that I will behave as a child of the King, for I cannot act on any knowledge that I do not truly believe in my heart.
Barbara says:

October 2, 2011 at 7:15 am

I think it is very wise for us to seek God’s guidance daily…also there are many well respected people whom end up making a mess of their lives because of dishonesty…but God knows what goes on behind closed doors…and in due time they will be caught!