Not Ashamed
2 Timothy 1:8-12
Have you ever heard someone refer to another person as someone who “has no shame?” That statement is not intended to be a compliment! Saying someone has “no shame” means there isn’t anything that they won’t do regardless of how foolish it may make them appear to other people.
Paul’s message to Timothy in the text this morning is simple: when it comes to the gospel and proclaiming it for everyone to hear, have “no shame!”
I’m afraid that there are many believers today (myself included) that sometimes allow a desire for acceptance by others to prevent a bold sharing of a gospel witness. Now, by that, I do not mean that we are too ashamed to stand in a public area with a bullhorn and loudly proclaim the gospel. While there may be a time and a place for that, I do not believe it is the most effective way of sharing the gospel. I think the way this looks for most of us is simply keeping our mouth shut and not looking for opportunities to engage people in conversation with the hopes of moving the conversation in a direction where we will be able to share the gospel.
Paul told Timothy, “So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me His prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God.” (vs. 8) The picture here is of standing with or being counted with someone else.
Have you ever had a family member or friend who did something so embarrassing that you physically tried to distance yourself from them so that people wouldn’t realize that you were with them? I’m afraid that there are some people who call themselves Christians who do that very thing with Jesus! They realize that the gospel is offensive and so, when someone they know brings up the gospel and challenges its claims or mocks its truth, they simply try to quietly slip away from being identified with it. Paul’s message to Timothy encouraged him to boldly stand and proudly proclaim the truth of the gospel and not be afraid to be identified with it or with those who proudly proclaim its truth!
Determine in your heart and mind this week that you will stand with the gospel and be identified with it! Determine that you will be actively on the lookout for ways that you could share the truth of the gospel with someone. Determine that you will be a person of “no shame” when it comes to the gospel! Who knows what just might happen if you do! It could just change a person’s eternal destination!
Soli Deo gloria
