tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24383995.post1663798502161618765..comments2024-03-22T04:12:44.008+08:00Comments on Breaking the Word: Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24383995.post-38121540448319955532007-04-18T08:37:00.000+08:002007-04-18T08:37:00.000+08:00I've always grappled with this notion of being "bo...I've always grappled with this notion of being "born again". Today, 18th April 2007, the daily reflections of Good News Ministry, gave me a new perspective on being re-born. I'd like to share it with you.<BR/><BR/>It's been said that the Roman Catholic Church's Sacrament of Reconciliation imprisons individuals in a cocoon of guilt and shame. What is "guilt" and what is "shame" that so overwhelms some?<BR/><BR/>"There's a difference between guilt and shame. <BR/><BR/>Guilt comes from doing something evil. When we sin, we are guilty, and when we repent, we return to the freedom gained by Christ when he took our punishment on the cross. Shame, on the other hand, comes from the false assumption that, due to our sinfulness, WE are evil. Shame continues long after we've been forgiven. Jesus doesn't condemn us, but shame does. Shame won't free us from guilt, won't let us enjoy the forgiveness of God, won't allow us to forgive ourselves. Guilt tells us the truth about ourselves and invites us to grow from it; shame lies to us and paralyzes our growth.<BR/><BR/>The truth is: Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, there is no shame in realizing our sinfulness, because facing it frees us to change and become holier. There is no shame in exposing our sins in the light of Christ, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to help us become who we REALLY are."<BR/><BR/>Knowing the difference between guilt and shame is one step towards truly being born again.<BR/><BR/>Peace of Christ to all who read this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com