ASHAMED?
Opening Prayer
Strengthen me in the power of Your might today, Jesus (Eph. 6:10).
Read 2 Timothy 1:8–18
8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
Examples of Disloyalty and Loyalty
15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16 May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. 17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 18 May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
When are you most tempted to be ashamed of Jesus? When is it that you want to distance yourself from the truth?What are the twin commands in verse 8? How are they connected? In this dense section of the letter Paul reminds Timothy of the nature of the Gospel (9,10), Paul’s ministry for the Gospel (11,12) and Timothy’s part in the work of the Gospel (8,13,14). It is a rich tapestry with the overall message being that Gospel work brings suffering and hardship now, but certain hope of glory in the end. It is a call to stick with Jesus, which means sticking with Paul.
You can see from verses 15 to 18 that the prospect of suffering and the hardship of belonging to Jesus have not been embraced by many. In fact, due to shame and suffering connected with the Gospel, everyone in the province of Asia has deserted Paul (15). People checked out when the sparks started flying. Onesiphorus stands in stark contrast, as one who didn’t distance himself from Paul and the Gospel but actively sought out Paul in prison to support and strengthen him.
Apply
In different ways, every situation in life can challenge our commitment to Jesus. Today, are you willing to suffer for Jesus, being unashamed in the face of scorn, like Onesiphorus?
Closing prayer
Pray for courage, strength and a steadfast love for Jesus.
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