Key Verses: 2 Timothy 1:8-12, "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."
What does it mean to be ashamed of something? It means to be humiliated or embarrassed by it. Being ashamed of something is being fearful it might bring you down. When you are ashamed of something, you take actions to dissociate yourself from it out of fear of negative consequences.
What types of things cause a person shame? A person can be ashamed of something he or she did. Let's say a teenaged guy gets arrested for a DUI. This an act that would cause this guy to feel ashamed and embarrassed. The guy would rightly not want to be associated with his arrest. He would logically want to distance himself from it.
There are things that logically bring about feelings of shame and embarrassment. You can be ashamed of something you have don. You can be ashamed of something a family member has done. You can even be ashamed by the actions of a team, or a group of people, or a government, or some other element you might be involved in. Each of these specific entities can do things that would logically result in shame.
But you do not have an option when it comes to the things of God. You are not given a choice. You simply cannot live in such a way that you are ashamed of Christ, His story, or His presence in your life.
Read 2 Timothy 1:8-12. Paul says that even though that gospel had caused him to suffer, he would not stop talking about Jesus. Why? Because he is not ashamed of Christ.
Jesus has saved your life. He game Himself willingly, allowing people to punish Him in the most gruesome ways imaginable. He took the shame of the crucifixion on Him because of your sins. He wasn't ashamed of you. Yet, as you remain silent when you know you should stand up for Christ, you tell the world you are ashamed of Him.
You have been given one life. That's it. You have one chance to make it count for Christ. You cannot do that by being embarrassed or ashamed of Jesus. You simply do not have that choice.
Don't be embarrassed. Be bold. Be courageous. Be strong. Be daring. Live for Christ.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment