The past two postings have been about faith. In reading what Hebrews has to say about this topic, I came across a statement that struck me as being a different way at looking at our relationship with God.
“Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God. . .” (Hebrews 11:16 ESV)
Most of what the Bible says about being ashamed concerns us humans either being ashamed of what we did or what we did not do. There are only three times in the Bible where it states that God is ashamed of us humans (Genesis 6:6-7, Mark 8:38 and Luke 9:26).
Why was God not ashamed to be called the God of the people listed in Hebrews 11? Abel offered a more acceptable sacrifice, Noah built an ark, Abraham left his homeland, and Moses cast his lot with the children of Israel rather than the household of Pharaoh to list a few of the individuals mentioned. All those mentioned took action sometimes at great cost to themselves. They took these actions based upon faith because they did not have proof God would fulfill his promises nor did they, in their lifetime, receive what God had promised.
The author of Hebrews then summarizes how we should emulate the examples of faith that are listed in Hebrews 11.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV)
The question each of us must answer is: Is God ashamed that we call him our God? Will God be ashamed of us because we did not have the correct belief or because our actions are so different from God’s character?
