Not Ashamed

For the which cause I also suffered these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.”  II Timothy 1:12

Paul was writing to Timothy, the young man who had been a great help to him as he journeyed and preached across the land.    It is believed that this was Paul’s last letter which was written while he was a prisoner in Rome (2:9).  It is also believed that Paul felt that his own death was imminent.  He would have liked to have seen Timothy one more time, but under the circumstances, that was not permitted.  Paul cautioned Timothy to not be ashamed of the gospel nor of him because he was incarcerated, and that Timothy would face opposition which would lead to suffering for the gospel’s sake.  All believers face persecution of one type or another if they are true to the gospel whether it is being mocked, being passed over for job promotions, being ostracized from gatherings, or even, as in some countries now, physical harm.  Paul understood that it was the grace of God whereby he was made a servant of Christ, a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher specifically to Gentiles.

Paul was relentless.  He didn’t let jail, beatings, persecution, or shipwrecks stop him from preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He definitely suffered physical harm, but God gave him the physical strength, perseverance, boldness, and desire to travel and bring the gospel to places far and near.  It is estimated that Paul was converted to Christ around A.D. 37.  We don’t know how old he was at that time, but just prior to his conversion, he was identified as a young man named Saul (Acts 8:58).  Bible scholars believe he was about 30 years of age, about the same age that Jesus was when He began His ministry on earth.

Paul’s dedication and perseverance reminds me of that old Timex watch commercial:  “It takes a licking and keeps on ticking”.  All believers need to be bold and fearless in their Christian witness and lifestyle, but some, probably more than just some, when faced with a scouring look or a remark of ridicule, will run like a scalded dog because they got their feelings hurt.  That’s the problem with feelings: they are not reliable.  We are not saved by feelings, but by faith.  However, there are feelings associated with being saved, joy and peace, for two things, but these aren’t just feelings, they are facts for the born-again believer.  I guess that some of us have forgotten what Jesus said in John 15:18, “If the world hate you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.”  If the world hates us because we are followers of Christ, then we are in pretty good company.

There is no reason to be ashamed to claim Christ as Lord and Savior.  What is shameful is to try and hide our identity as followers of Christ because someone might make fun of us.  Jesus said in Luke 9:26, “For whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He shall come in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.”  By today’s standards, I was a pretty good kid, though far from perfect, because I didn’t want my parents to be ashamed of me.  I didn’t want to do anything that would embarrass them because I knew that they loved me, and I loved them.  Too bad that more young people don’t feel that way today.  I also feel that way about my Savior.  While, again, far from perfect, my desire is to not do anything that would bring a reproach or shame to Christ.  I remember something from when I was 20 years old.  I had just bought my first car, and the salesman and I drove to Shoney’s for a Coke.  He was one good looking young man, blond, blue-eyed, sort of a surfer look, you get the picture.  Well, we were talking, and I just happened to mention that I wondered what the young people in my Sunday School class would say about my new car.  Instantly, this young salesman says, “Oh, I am late for a meeting,” and away we went back to the dealership.  He must have thought, “Oh no, she’s one of those Bible-thumpers, probably a real prude!”  Being naive, it never occurred to me that others were so opposed to anything to do with the Lord or church.  That was a lesson learned.

I hope that I never have to find out how it feels for Jesus to be ashamed of me before His Father.  Folks don’t seem to feel shame like they did years ago.  Some almost take pride in what is still a shame to people of integrity.  I suppose some youngsters are not being taught dignity.  It’s for sure that many are not being taught God’s word.  Thank God for those of us who have been taught to respect and honor the Lord.  Believers in Jesus Christ have been called to the highest honor that any human can receive, a child of the King of kings and Lord of lords.  We can’t be lost to Christ because He’s the One who holds us safely in the palm of His hand.  Nothing happens to us unless it has been filtered through His fingers.  Living for Christ is the best of both worlds, both now and for eternity.