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…NKJV
Have you ever felt ashamed of being a Christian? Or maybe, it wasn’t so much that you were ashamed of being a Christian, but being associated with someone or something that shed a negative view on Christianity. While I have never been ashamed of being a Christian, I have often felt embarrassment over the shenanigans some people get caught up in as they name the name of Christ!
In this letter to Timothy, Paul is again in chains. And theologians agree that it is the last letter Paul wrote because he was later martyred. Paul writes this letter to encourage Timothy but (in a sense) also to say farewell to Timothy.
I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy
2 Timothy 1:3-4 NKJV
Paul told Timothy that he had indeed been called by God to be an apostle. He wanted Timothy to know all of his service to God had been “with a pure conscience” before God. And even though Paul was in prison and facing death, Timothy was very much on his mind and in his prayers. Paul really loved Timothy, and if we couldn’t see it in the first letter, this second letter leaves us no doubt. Although they were not blood relations, the blood of Jesus had made them family in a way that was equally, maybe even more binding, than that of natural blood. Their relationship was definitely that of mentor and mentee, but Paul was also Timothy’s spiritual father and Timothy was his son!
Paul wanted to see Timothy one last time to be filled with joy before his departure. He knew this situation was hard on Timothy, that Timothy had even shed tears over it, but Paul wanted Timothy to know that he was in a good place and needed to know that Timothy was also in a good place!
Paul reminisced over his experiences with Timothy:
When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.
2 Timothy 1:5 NKJV
He fondly remembered the faith that Timothy had in Jesus. His commitment to the gospel of Jesus and his labors in the ministry. He reminds Timothy that he had a legacy of faith that began first with his grandmother then, his mother, and it was also instilled in Timothy. Not only does Paul remember, but he also wants Timothy to remember.
In those darkest moments of life or our greatest trials, we have to watch what we are meditating on. Paul knew that he couldn’t spend his time awaiting his sentence focusing on his imminent death. Not if he wanted to remain filled with hope! So, he spent that time encouraging Timothy to continue with his assignment by remembering the things that mattered. His faith!
Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:6-7 NKJV
Paul reminded Timothy to stay focused. Stir up the gift of God that’s on the inside of you, given to you by God. This is not the time to allow fear to get a grip on you. Yes, Christians are being persecuted! Yes, things are tough right now! But don’t let fear paralyze you and hinder you in the fight of faith! Stir up your gift! For God has given you everything that you need to continue in the work of the Lord, power, love, and a sound mind!
Then Paul said to Timothy:
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 NKJV
In other words, don’t you dare allow shame to enter your heart! Not shame over the testimony of our Lord, nor shame over me being a prisoner! These are not things to be ashamed of! If anything, Paul told Timothy, share with me in the suffering for the gospel’s sake! That’s why I’m in prison! Not because I have done something wrong or have brought embarrassment to the cross, but because of my unrelenting faith in Jesus and my faithfulness in proclaiming the gospel (see verses 9-11)! As a result, persecution has come to me, and if you are indeed the young man in Christ I know you to be, you will also suffer persecution!
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.
2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV
Paul wanted Timothy to understand that there was no shame in his game! He wasn’t upset or offended that he was in prison with a death sentence hanging over his head! As a matter of fact, Paul reiterated to Timothy that he knew who his faith was in and it hadn’t changed! Not only was his faith in Jesus secure, but he was persuaded that Jesus was able to keep all that he had committed to Him! That’s great faith!
But Paul didn’t end there! Paul gave Timothy some more advice:
Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
2 Timothy 1:13-14 NJKV
Paul told Timothy to hold fast to the things that he had taught him! They were sound teachings! Things taught to him in faith and in love! Paul wanted Timothy to understand that he wasn’t believing in something or someone that wasn’t worth it! The gospel of Jesus was worth every moment of joy and every moment of pain to Paul, and he wanted Timothy to understand that his life wasn’t lived in vain! So, the good thing that was committed to Timothy by the Holy Spirit, Paul wanted Timothy to keep at it, to not give up! Powerful words of encouragement!
I’ve read these letters so many times through the years! But never have I really taken the time to think about what Paul was really saying! Paul was completely sold out to the cause of Christ. Nothing was more important to him. He saw his imminent death as a means that the devil could use to shipwreck Timothy’s faith! And he couldn’t bear the thought of that happening! So he laid it all out for Timothy to see so, that he would be encouraged by all that Paul had experienced and not discouraged!
Today, many have abused their positions in the church. They have been caught doing some unthinkable things which have caused many to feel shame, embarrassment, and even shipwrecked in their faith! Paul reminds us, through his letter to Timothy, that there is no shame in the cross! When Jesus was placed on the cross, the devil thought he was bringing great shame to the name of Jesus! But if it had not been for the cross, we would all still be in our sins! Jesus was unconcerned about the shame they were trying to cast upon Him because we were all on His mind! Aren’t you glad that He didn’t give up? I most certainly am!
As believers, we cannot afford to let circumstances or others’ lack of integrity cause us to feel shame! We must make up our minds that it is for Christ we live and regardless of others’ inability to remain faithful to the call, we choose to remain faithful! So even though I am disturbed by what I see in the media, I choose to remain strong like Paul and declare, there is no shame in my game! I am delighted to be a Christian and plan to continue to stand for Him and what His word teaches me, even when it is not popular! Wonderful Jesus!
Wonderful Jesus! 