How to Release Shame and Grow Closer to God

Have you ever longed for a deeper relationship with God? What holds you back? For some, it’s an overbooked schedule. But for others (and maybe for you), sin or shame prevents you from trying to get closer to God. You may even be battling voices in your head saying you’re not good enough to enter in.

One of my favorite moments in the Bible is when Jesus, hanging on the cross, gave up His life— and the veil of the temple was torn in two. From top to bottom the barrier between man and God’s holy place was removed. Jesus made the way.

“And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Mark 15:37-38 NJKV).

This was no ordinary feat, no minor occurrence. The veil was 60 feet high, and some sources record it as four inches thick, woven of blue, purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen. Only the high priest was allowed to pass through the veil into the Holy of Holies with a blood sacrifice—and only once a year to atone for the sins of the people.

This is why the book of Hebrews refers to Jesus as our High Priest. He offered the final sacrifice— once, for all. He entered the Holy of Holies with His blood sacrifice and now through Him, you and I can enter that place of God’s presence.

“He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12 NIV).

There is no longer any separation between God and man. No longer a barrier standing in our way. We can all access God’s presence—Jew, Gentile, male, female—every race, every nation, every tongue and tribe. All it takes to pass through is a simple act of faith, of believing in Jesus Christ as Lord.

Your debt of guilt is paid. Your sin atoned for by the blood of Jesus. You have been ransomed out of a life that winds downward into darkness and into a life that spirals upward, shining ever more brightly until the full day.

“The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day” (Proverbs 4:18 NIV).

My greatest yearning is to be closer to God. Without Him, I am nothing. With Him, you and I can change the world, be a light, lead others into that awesome and wonderful holy place of His presence.

If you’ve been afraid to come closer to God—if your shame has held you back from a deeper relationship with Him—come. Believe in the Lord Jesus and His work on the cross, His blood shed for you. Leave all shame and condemnation behind and enter in. Jesus is your gateway into the deeper things of God.

“But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” 2 Corinthians 3:16 NIV

“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” John 10:9 NIV