“Dec 18, 2024 - I Am Not Ashamed”

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

I Am Not Ashamed

Reading:  2 Timothy 1:8-18
    
    Timothy appears to be struggling with discouragement, fear, and timidity.  Paul exhorts him:  “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God”(2 Tim 1:8).  Timothy must embrace the shame and suffering that accompanies the gospel.  Paul also wants Timothy not to be ashamed of him, a thought he brings up repeatedly throughout this letter (1:15, 16; 4:10, 15-16).  Perhaps other Christians were distancing themselves from Paul as he suffered in prison, fearing a similar fate for themselves.  Paul wants better from Timothy.  He mentions Onesiphorus as a notable exception of someone who was not ashamed of him, but sought him out in his imprisonment to serve him (2 Tim 1:16-18).  

    For his part, Paul is unfazed.  “But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me”(2 Tim 1:12).  No matter his sufferings, Paul does not balk or quiet down.  He knows Jesus and is confident that he will repay Paul’s faithfulness.  Jesus has entrusted Paul with a stewardship and Paul will faithfully serve until his time comes; Jesus won’t disappoint.  Paul’s confidence is not himself and his speaking skills, but in Jesus.  He urges Timothy to similar faithfulness: “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.  By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you”(2 Tim 1:13-14).  Timothy has a similar “good deposit” given by Jesus; he must rise to the occasion and “guard” it.

    Jesus and his teaching have always been surrounded by controversy.  Often those who follow him suffer for their connection to him.  It is possible for us to distance ourselves from Jesus and his people in such situations, allowing our fear to control us.  Paul urges us to place our confidence in Jesus rather than ourselves or the prevailing opinions.  Jesus won’t disappoint.

-----------
One Thing to Think About:  In what situations am I tempted to be ashamed of Jesus?

One Thing to Pray For:  Confidence because I know whom I have believed
 

Share