Be Not Ashamed Of The Testimony Of Our Lord

Serving – November 2016 – Grace & Truth Magazine

BE NOT ASHAMED OF
The Testimony Of Our Lord

“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 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 1:7-8 NKJV

Have you ever felt ashamed of anything? There are a number of reasons why you might feel this way. Perhaps you have done something in secret, hoping no one will find out. Maybe you have spoken lying or hurtful words that you wish you could take back. Possibly you are ashamed at the thought of giving account at the judgment seat of Christ for your behavior. And there could be many more reasons.

The verse that we are considering was written by the apostle Paul to Timothy, and it contains these words: "Do not be ashamed." Timothy, a tender-hearted young man, lived at a time when it was definitely safer not to be associated with the testimony of the Lord or with Paul, who was a prisoner for the Lord in a Roman jail. Timothy keenly felt the low spiritual state of many professing Christians who no longer wished to be connected with Paul because of the reproach, or shaming, he endured as a faithful servant of the Lord. Paul knew that Timothy's faith was genuine, and he encouraged Timothy to be firm and faithful, unashamed of the testimony of the Lord or of the apostle Paul. He reminded Timothy "to stir up the gift of God" which was in him (v.6), and then he noted that "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (v.7).

The apostle Paul then began to unfold what God in His sovereign grace has given to us. There is nothing at all that we earned or deserved. Rather, God's grace flowed down from His heart through our Lord Jesus Christ. This was God's purpose "before time began" (v.9) � and nothing in time could change what God had purposed before time began. God was working out His wonderful plan of salvation, which has been unveiled by the appearing of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

This wonderful gospel message was given to the apostle Paul. Although he suffered persecution and imprisonment for this gospel, he could say, "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" (v.12). Paul committed his past, present, and future wholly to the One in whom he believed. He had met this One on the road to Damascus when a bright light from heaven struck him down, a light brighter than the noonday sun, and a voice called to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" Saul asked, "Who are You, Lord?", and the answer came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting" (Acts 9). This rejected Jesus had won Paul's heart. Could Paul now be ashamed of Him? No, this is the One whom God has made both Lord and Christ (2:36), and Saul made Him Lord of his life. Will you make Him Lord of your life?

There is someone else in 2 Timothy 1 who was not ashamed: Onesiphorus (v.16). His name means "bringing profit," and he brought profit at great cost to himself. He was not ashamed to identify with Paul, a despised man in chains. By searching diligently for Paul, he was in direct contact with the Roman authorities; and by making a visit to Paul, he greatly refreshed the apostle. True to his name, he was a profitable servant. He was not looking for honor or any favor for himself, but Paul's prayer that he might find mercy from the Lord will surely be his portion.

Now what about us? May we too bring refreshment to the heart of the Lord Jesus and not be ashamed to be associated with Him in this world that has turned away from the Savior. "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation" (Rom. 1:16).

By Jacob Redekop