Sometimes Shame is an Appropriate Response to Behavior

Ann Graham Lotz, Rev. Billy Graham’s daughter, referenced “The Fellowship of the Unashamed” in her radio devotional yesterday. In case you are unfamiliar with it, here it is:
The Fellowship of the Unashamed
I am a part of the fellowship of the Unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit…
Power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has
been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow
down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense,
and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight
walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions,
mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or
popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised,
regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by
patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.
My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my
way is rough, my companions few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted,
or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the
presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the
pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of
mediocrity.
I won’t give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I’ve preached up, prayed
up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I am a
disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until He returns, give until I drop,
preach until all know, and work until He comes.
And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My
colors will be clear for “I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the
power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..” (Romans 1:16)
By Dr. Bob Moorehead, “Words Aptly Spoken”, December 1995
The rest of the story:
Dr. Bob Moorehead was forced to resign from his position as senior pastor of the 6500 member megachurch, nondenominational evangelical Overlake Christian Church in Seattle, WA, in June 1998 after allegations arose from multiple sources about sexual misconduct. No one is ever above being held accountable for their conduct. And if they think they are, it is a likely a sure set up for a fall, as pride always is. Sometimes shame is a proper response to our conduct. But Christ died to free us from it and we do not have to dwell in it. But we do have to be open to seeing the error of our ways and repenting of them.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/1998/july13/8t8026.html