Neither Ashamed Nor A Shame!
"Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our
Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the
sufferings for the gospel according to the power of
God."
2 Timothy 1:8
It’s not unusual for teenagers to be embarrassed
when their parents witness for Christ to strangers
in public settings.
It even happens to adults when one of their friends stops
to witness to someone. It’s understandable for children to
be embarrassed; it is less understandable when adults
have the same reaction.
The apostle Paul reminded Timothy not to
be ashamed
of two things: Jesus Christ Himself or of his imprisoned
friend and mentor. Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy
in the final season of his life when he was imprisoned in
Rome.
Just as Peter had once denied knowing Christ, it would
be
easy for Timothy to deny knowing the imprisoned apostle.
It is worth remembering that Christ told His followers that
those who denied Him “before men” He would deny before
the Father in heaven (Matthew 10:33).
Take every opportunity to
stand for
Christ and to stand with those who
speak boldly for Him.
"Be not ashamed of your
faith; remember it is the
ancient gospel of martyrs, confessors, Reformers,
and saints. Above all, it is the truth of God, against
which the gates of hell cannot prevail."
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
