"Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease." (Proverbs 22:10)
Solomon uses "cast out", which is also rendered ἔκβαλε in the Septuagint.
Just as Sarah had Hagar and Ishmael expelled from the House of Abraham, so we are all called to get rid of those who mock, scorn, and reproach us and the Finished Work of Christ. Do not entertain the hate and reproach of those who do not receive you.
By what authority can we claim to disabuse ourselves from abuse?
Christ took all our shame already!
"Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.
"And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
"And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
"And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
"And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him." (Matthew 27: 27-30)
Even Mel Gibson failed to depict this ultimate humiliation in "The Passion of Jesus Christ."
Jesus was dragged before at least one hundred soldiers. He was stripped to nothing, all the wounds that had briefly healed were ripped open afresh. Naked, trembling, bleeding all over, Jesus endured the ongoing taunts of all humanity, as the entire Roman guard spit on him, not just five or six soldiers! He took all your shame there. Don't ever once think that you have to endure shame as a means of making up for something that you have said or done. Never ever be content that you deserve to suffer shame or contempt, for Christ suffered all for you!
Imagine the power of this Perfect Love dwelling in you! It will propel you to see all fear, and all shame, cast out from you!
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