Embarassment

• Be careful not to embarrass others (Ruth 2: 15)-When Ruth went back to work again, Boaz ordered his young men, "Let her gather grain right among the sheaves without stopping her".  The reason Boaz was so gracious about allowing Ruth to work among them is because he was of the Christian faith. He also was a good Administrator.  He exercised care for his fields, and showed hospitality.  A person of good character.  And he knew that they had come from another land.  They were not locals from Bethlehem.  He was conscious and considerate of their need.  The body of Christ should also be careful not to embarrass others just because they are not from where we are from, or strangers to our Church, or land.
• Embarrassment can lead to rash actions (Matthew 14: 1-12)-When Herod Antipas heard about Jesus, he said to his advisers, "This must be John the Baptist come back to life again!  That is why he can do such miracles."  For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod's brother Philip).  John kept telling Herod, "It is illegal for you to marry her."  Herod would have executed John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet.  But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias' daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, so he promised with an oath to give her anything she wanted.  At her mother's urging, the girl asked, "I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!"  The king was sorry, but because of his oath and because he didn't want to back down in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders.  So John was beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother.  John's disciples came for his body and buried it.  Then they told Jesus what had happened.  In these verses, we see that correction can lead to embarrassment.  People often do not react in a positive or appropriate way to the correction of the Holy Spirit when they are non-Christian or non-believers.  These people were adulterous.  A great injustice had been committed.  Not only had king Herod had his brother killed in battle to keep his wife, he carried out a demonic order to have John the Baptist (a prophet) beheaded for speaking the truth.  These hateful people would obviously stop at nothing to get what they selfishly wanted.  We see that they expressed no remorse for their sin, or for their actions.  And word from God Almighty obviously would not stop them.  So they had him killed, and the King, though he really did not want to carry this disgusting order out, was a man of his word, and carried out an injustice of such great magnitude; to kill the cousin of Jesus-John the Baptist-a prophet.  Someone who was chosen by God to shed light in a dark cold hateful and sinful world.  Someone who was there for such a great cause and purpose.  Someone who had so much love for them that he put his life on the line to speak what the Holy Spirit had instructed him to say.  This is one of the greatest tragedies in all of history.  One of the greatest injustices. 
• We should not be embarrassed about the gospel (Romans 1: 16)-For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ.  It is the power of God at work saving everyone who believes-Jews first and also Gentiles.  The gospel is not something we should be ashamed of.  It is the good news of salvation for all who believe and have faith in Him, and who accept Him as their LORD and Savior.  It is the difference between living in darkness, and living in the light.  Jesus is the light of the world.  He shed His light in this world, and chose those to continue to shed that light today.  Today we are the chosen ones He is using to shed this light and truth to those who need it!  There still are many souls out there who need to hear this AWESOME TRUTH!  That Jesus is LORD and Savior, and that all who believe and accept Him will have eternal life in Him and with Him!  And they need not be concerned about living in darkness, or spending eternity in hell.  Although some would say this sounds crazy, and that Christians are crazy or fanatics, we should not be embarrassed!  We should be very proud that God has chosen us to be with Him!  That is the ultimate dream, goal, and treasure!  It is the ultimate gift!  The gift of eternal life with Him in heaven!  In peace!  In light!  In holiness!  To God be the glory forever!  Amen! 
• We should not be embarrassed by Jesus (Galatians 1: 10)-Obviously, I'm not trying to be a people pleaser!  No, I am trying to please God.  If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ's servant.  This verse is clearly saying that we know who we are trying to impress in life.  It is not the people of the world.  It is about impressing our magnificent God!  It is about living in a way that makes Him proud, not living a life that makes people happy.  If we are Christ's servants, or His ambassadors, we know that we live to please Him.  So, it does not matter what others think of us, or how we live, or what we do with our bodies, money, talents, or time.  This is all dedicated to our God.  Our God comes before even our own desires.  Our allegiance is to Him!  Not people.  People cannot save our souls from the fiery pits of hell.  God can!  That's who we aim to please!  So many people fall in error concerning this; they worry about what people will think of them, if they think they're crazy for serving the LORD, for dedicating their bodies as His temple; as a living sacrifice.  They feel ashamed and conform to the ways of the world, and many times fall into all kinds of sin, drunkeness, and other shameful deeds.  They worry that they won't be accepted by the people.  But it is God who will be ashamed of them on judgement day.  The LORD will be ashamed of their shame.  Their shame to please Him.

I hope this study helps you to understand embarrassment among the Church and the many forms it can occur.  We should continue to be careful with this, and be mindful of our fellow Christian brothers and sisters, whether foreign, or local.  We should be more concerned with pleasing our God, and not feel ashamed doing it.  The rewards far outweigh any earthly pleasures or temporary joys.  Until the next study, be proud of who you are, be blessed, and be a blessing to others!  Let us bow our heads in prayer, and ask the LORD to help us to be graceful, mindful and considerate of others, and to be able to please our God without fear or shame before men!  And the people of the LORD say, Amen!!