WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE SENSE OF SHAME?

Whatever happened to the sense of shame?
Did it go the same way as the acceptance of blame?
In this age that we live in, when everything’s right,
When even most of the church is living by sight,
Is shame out of date, a thing of the past,
Or is it still with us? That’s the question I ask.

Now, shame is not something I’m ignorant of,
For I’ve felt it before and I well knew the cause
Was something I’d done that I knew I should not,
And the reason I knew was because I’d been taught
That there are certain things that it is not right to do,
Like cheating and lying, to name only two.

But shame’s seldom mentioned in this day, it seems,
For fear it will harm some poor soul’s “self esteem.”
No matter that God, in His Book, says it’s wrong
To do whatever it is that’s been done;
It’s often smoothed over or the wrong’s made to be right,
White’s turned into black, and the black into white!

God’s Word is manipulated, turned upside down,
Inside is turned out and the Truth is not shown;
The deeds done in darkness are not brought to the light,
Right is deemed wrong, and the wrong is made right.
Remember, my friend, it’s what God says that’s true,
And every man is a liar who won’t hold to God’s Truth.

Yes, shame is still with us, believe it or not,
For God’s Word proclaims it as every man’s lot
Who refuses to heed what the LORD has to say
And gropes blindly along in his own sinful way,
Searching for something he cannot explain,
But refusing salvation through Jesus’ dear name.

Coveters, enviers, yes, and murderers, too,
Harlots and fornicators, to name but a few,
Adulterers, whoremongers, liars and thieves—
We who are saved were once some of these—
But thanks be to Jesus, we’re no longer the same,
For He died to redeem us from sin and from shame.

a. franklin staples
Completed March 27, 1999

©1999 by A. Franklin Staples