Unashamed

2 Timothy 1:8 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, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. 15 This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 16 The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; 17 but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. 18 The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day--and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.

Glory is always difficult to achieve, and requires learning, diligence, and faithfulness.

Sometimes people are willing and able to learn, and sometimes people can be very diligent for a period of time. But faithfulness can flee when shame becomes involved.

Any time you make yourself different you make yourself visible, because people notice what is different more than they notice what is common.

Anyone who has been walking in and with the world, and then suddenly receives Jesus Christ will stand out. Paul stood out. Timothy stood out. If you have received Christ, YOU stand out.

Paul is saying, “Once you stand out, stand up!” And that’s the hardest part - to stand out, and to stand up - and to be unashamed about it. Embarrassment is a powerful weapon in our enemy’s hand, and he wields it against anyone willing to take a stand for Jesus Christ.

Fortunately, we have a powerful example to follow after. Can you imagine the shame Jesus felt as He was tried, and judged, and stripped, and beaten, and spit upon, and killed? The Bible tells us Jesus despised that shame. (The same way I would have.) But in spite of the shame, Jesus went to the cross – looking beyond the cross to see me. And, in spite of that shame Jesus stood up for God’s Word and God’s plan – for my life.

In this world, some will fall away. Maybe even most will. Denial comes much easier than standing up in the midst of shame. But when you choose to stand for Christ, you no longer are the one who bears that shame because Jesus already has.

-  Pastor Bill