Glory Rather than Shame

“And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed” (Genesis 2:25).

This verse depicts the first man and woman in their perfect state. Before the fall, human beings were pure and innocent. They had complete trust in God as the provider of all good things. Their hearts and minds were free from any knowledge of evil. They had no sense of guilt. Because they lived in perfect love with God and with each other, Adam and Eve felt no shame. Having the glory of the children of God, they did not need to hide their nakedness.

But things changed when Adam and Eve chose the fruit of knowledge of good and evil. Having acquired the ability to know good and evil, human beings lost their original innocence. Because their minds became susceptible to sin, they began to perceive nakedness as shameful and indecent.

Of all the living creatures, only human beings are ashamed of their nakedness. Such consciousness is an indication of man’s deplorable spiritual condition and a painful reminder of the curse that sin has brought. The need for covering is a further reflection of man’s spiritual inadequacy before God. Whether he acknowledges it or not, man is keenly aware that he has fallen short of God’s glory and lost his first dignity.

As sinners, we must return to God and seek the covering of Christ’s blood. When we are baptized into Christ, we put on Christ, and His blood cleanses us of all our sins. “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27). Having become the children of God, we regain the dignity that we have lost through Adam. We also need to continually put on the Lord Jesus Christ by walking daily in His steps. As the Bible teaches, “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. (Romans 13:14). If we are clothed with Christ in this life, one day, when our mortal bodies are transformed into glorious bodies, we will be clothed with the heavenly dwelling (2 Corinthians 5:1-5). Then we shall stand without shame before the Lord, having eternal glory and honor.

Thank you, Lord, for covering me with your blood. I yearn to be clothed with your likeness in my daily life and I long to be clothed with your glory forever.

Questions for Reflection

  1. Have you been clothed with Christ, and do you continually put on Christ?
  2. What things in your life now bring you shame before God?