Shame (Part 11)

Shame (Part 11)

A young man named Elisha received this double portion from God.  Elisha yearned to minister under the same prophetic anointing as his master, Elijah.  When Elijah was supernaturally transported to Heaven in a chariot of fire, his cloak, which symbolized the anointing of God, fell upon Elisha.  He picked up the mantle and began to minister like Elijah, but with double the power and impact according to 2 Kings 2:1-14. 

God is raising up men and women with the spirit and power of Elijah who will do things in the unconventional way- God's way.  These people will not seek reputation and position because they have nothing to prove.  They know who they are in God.  They will deliver God's message fearlessly because they cannot be shamed by the enemy's accusations.  You, by a decisive choice, can be one of those people.

In the Revelation 3:18, God addresses shame one final time as He appeals:

“I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.”  

When the shackles of shame were broken in your life,  a new mantle descended upon you, even as that which was passed from Elijah to Elisha.   God wants to break the shackles of shame in your life, but He has an even greater purpose for you. 

God wants you to pick up this mantle and share it with others.  You come in contact with people every day who are suffering from shame. You work by them, you live by them, you shop in their places of business, and even go to church with them.  Some who are reading this are actually imprisoned, surrounded by fellow-inmates who are consumed by shame.

These people are at the crossroads of shame.  They are at a point of decision that will determine their final destiny. Before them stands two trees.  On one twisted, gnarled tree there dangles a hangman's noose.  The other tree is stained by the blood of Jesus Christ.   These people are caught in a crisis of shame.  Like Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, shame torments them as they trudge alone through the dense darkness.    

Two men betrayed the Lord at the time of His arrest and death.  These men had both heard the same teaching from Jesus.  Both of them walked, talked, and lived with Him.  Peter repented of his shame-producing behavior, was freed from shame, and restored to ministry.  Judas hung himself. You now have a powerful message from God to share with those at the crossroads of their shame:

"You do not have to die in your shame."