Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-18, 2 Corinthians 3:4-6, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
The exact details of the story have faded in my memory. I’m not sure where I heard it or the name of the man at the center of the narrative. I don’t need to know his name to want to be just like him.
His story goes something like this…
Christians were gathered in a home church in a country where worshiping Jesus was strictly forbidden. Authorities raided the home, forcing the terrified worshipers to lie on the floor, then brutally beat anyone who dared to resist. Despite this violence, they could not stop the man; he was determined to rise.
Over and over, he simply stood up silently, squared his shoulders, and looked his attackers in the eye. He was beaten back down each time only to rise to his feet again. He did not fight. He did not argue. He simply stood, no matter how bloody and bruised he became. Eventually, his attackers relented. Like Paul’s words to Timothy—penned despite imprisonments, beatings, abandonments, and trials—this man’s faith could not be shaken. He would not be kept down.
I may never face the butt of a gun as a result of my faith in Jesus. I may never know Paul’s fate of repeated imprisonment for declaring the gospel. The stakes may not look as dramatic, but we all know how it feels to be beaten down in some way or another. We feel the pressure to play it safe and be quiet about Jesus. But we cannot. Over and over and over, we must continue to rise. We must.
Paul’s powerful words echo throughout time, to the Church in every era. Whatever obstacles we face in culture or in the parthenon of public opinion, whatever makes our knees buckle, whatever threatens to silence us, or makes us want to simply lay low—when we weigh them against the heavy weight of the gospel, the scales are easily tipped.
We must speak out.
We must live boldly.
We must rise.
Fear cannot become our default. Let us remind each other often that we are a people uniquely armed with power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). Through the silent testimony of our sold-out lives and words seasoned with grace, we must declare, “But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me” (v. 12).
What inspired Paul to declare the gospel so boldly? He refused to forget the stench of the prison of sin he had been delivered from. Every other cell smelled like freedom. He remembered how it felt to be buried by the weight of his own sin, but through Jesus, he had been invited to rise and walk a new life.
Paul’s declaration to Timothy, and our declaration to each other is this: I am not ashamed of the gospel, because the gospel is not ashamed of me. Church, we do not deserve such extravagant grace. We are a ragamuffin bunch called to reach the world with radical truth.
There will always be opposition. Even so, let us rise.
Erin Davis is an author, blogger, and speaker who loves to see women of all ages run to the deep well of God’s Word. When she’s not writing, you can find Erin chasing chickens and children on her small farm in the Midwest.
That 2 Cor passage strike a chord deep in me. Lately I’ve been cringing when I hear the phrase “ I am enough”. I see it on cute plaques, mugs, t-shirts etc. this seems to be spreading like wild fire among my fellow sister in Christ. But we read in His word that we aren’t enough. 2 Cor 3 makes this abundantly clear that our reliance is in Christ alone. That we are nothing and he is our sufficiency. We are not enough. If we were enough then what was the cross for? Coming the the full understanding of the weight of my sin and just how it enough I am brings me to a place of deeper appreciation and worship of our great merciful God. How He would give His son as the propitiation of our sin bc He knew we would never be enough. That we would be like dogs returning to our vomit. Sisters , this make me want to share my faith and sing from a mountain top- not cower down and feel sorry for myself that I am “not enough” but song for joy bc He stood in my place so that my not-enough-ness would be made clean and white as snow. So all glory to God most high that He is enough.
AMEN!!!!! ❤️
THIS IS FREEING: I am only capable of planting seeds, God is the only one who can make it grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have the same purpose, working together for God.
“playing it safe and being quite about Jesus, ” only bypasses our opportunities to experience God while we hand the seeds to another person. God doesn’t” need” us to do the work but from His heart of love He wants us to join Him. Live boldly and speak out then experience God’s guard for what He has entrusted to you.
Overt punishment or persecution is easy to detect but I fear we, as Christians, have been pressured from speaking the truth because of the gospel of political correctness, a much more subtle stifling of the Good News. We hosted several Ukrainian Christians in the early 90s as Communism fell and religious persecution by the Communist government disappeared. The Christians from Ukraine spoke of they weren’t necessarily happy about that as they believed that persecution kept the Church pure, making them even more effective.
Interesting perspective Denise. I think political correctness may have become our persecutor here in the states. I know it often stops me from expressing my faith especially when at work. I think in any kind of persecution we must remember that God is faithful and will give us the words to say and the power to do His work in the world.
Hi All im noob here. Good post! Thx! Thx!
Not sure if anyone else noticed, but today’s reason on the study book is 2 Tim 1:1-18, yet the blog has it as 2 Tim 2:1-18!
Hi Beatrice, sorry for the confusion! The reading is 2 Timothy 1:1-18. Hope that helps! -Margot, The SRT Team
Oh my goodness, today’s reading has me in tears of gratefulness! I admire the Apostle Paul so much, I am not ashamed of the gospel because the gospel is not ashamed of me. Rich!!
I live in a place where the cost of claiming His name is getting higher by the day. And I watch regularly as my brothers and sisters refuse to stand down. He is worth it! Thanks for this
Praying for you and your family.
Numbers 6:24-26
24 “‘“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’
May you be strong in spirit and in His mighty power.
Amen, thank you for this! We will rise!
Amen! Such an inspiring call to action, Erin.
Amen!!!
I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because the Gospel is not ashamed of me – so beautiful and so true! I also loved the way Paul described how we should be: soldiers, set apart from the world. Farmers, working hard. Athletes, following the rules of the sport to win the prize. ❤️ May we all have strength to persevere like this!
A few years back I attended the Super Bowl. Our team won and my family and I were happily exiting the stadium. We came upon a middle aged man with a bull horn and several people with large signs that read “Repent!” The man with the bull horn was exhorting the passing crowd to *repent of worshiping football more than Jesus. ” I was taken aback at first but then decided to approach him. I told him that I am a Jesus follower and that my attending a football game did not make me less of one. He asked me if I could quote some “salvation Scriptures” and so I did. He seemed surprised and then he criticized me for wearing team colors. I guess he thought my apparel revealed some kind of worldly allegiance of which he didn’t approve. I told him that perhaps it would be more effective for him to stop yelling and just quietly talk to people, engaging them in a less aggressive and judgmental way. He did not take me up on my suggestion and I walked on. I heard many in the crowd around me, laughing and scoffing at the bullhorn man. Yes we must step out and rise up to share the Gospel. Yes we must be bold. But may we look at our audience and see their need and think of how best to present the Gospel in a manner in which they might hear and receive. Lord, give us boldness tempered with discernment. Let me know when to raise my voice but also when to simply let my actions speak. If I meet my neighbor’s need, they may be more receptive to my words. Help me to be kind and then kindly share Your good news. Amen.
AMEN!!!
Yes, Churchmouse. I admire your words once again. May we never focus so much on boldness that we forget the heart of the gospel.
Churchmouse you have so much wisdom. I wish I could have a sit down with you and just listen. I so appreciate your words as I try to show hospitality and genuine friendship to new Muslim friends-yelling at them about Jesus will not get them to believe but creating a loving friendship has opened doors to discussion.
YESSSS! I can’t imagine how many people are like bullhorn man – God use them, but most of the time a relational approach is much better!
This is so good.
I am sad that the primary cause of my discomfort with being openly Christian in my life is that so many Christians have behaved badly and created a really negative perception of people of the faith. Many of my friends regularly make light of Christians. It’s no wonder that so many of Paul’s letter stressed upstanding behavior so that no one can judge us badly. I try to be an example of a kind, smart, and loving Christian to the people in my life. I know that the more open I am about it the more I can set a positive example, but the shame and fear are still there sometimes. Not shame in the gospel, but in other human beings.
Love this Churchmouse.
I love this. “Boldness tempered with discernment” Amen!
Paul isn’t filled with fear even though he is in prison and shackled. His hope isn’t in his circumstances changing. His hope is in the character of God and the power of the gospel. Even in prison, he is more concerned for the gospel to be preserved than his life. May I know the character of God to that extent in my own life. That the gospel going forward would be of more importance than whatever circumstances my life may bring.
“His hope isn’t in his circumstances changing. His hope is in the character of God and the power of the gospel” Thank you for that……… churches are sometimes quick to tell people ” do you have a need, God will change it”….. and people pursue God because of what they want from Him , not because of who He is and what the good news of the gospel is. ” My hope is in you alone”.
Love this!!!
Much needed encouragement this morning!!!!! THANK YOU!
Isaiah 43:2 came to me as a verse of encouragement for you: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
Keep getting up. Keep going on. Keep doing what is right. I have days where I don’t want to do all the work around the home, care for myself, and care for my husband. In fact, this morning was one of those mornings. Thank you, God, for today’s scriptures.
Dennis and I need wisdom. We are doing fine financially (huge praise) but I will be getting checks for $0 or even have to pay my school corporation to cover my insurance. Dennis has been ill, off and on, for three weeks but wants me to go to work. I feel he still needs me here, at least until his strength comes back. He has a UTI and with it some crazy fevers and disorientation. He has been on an antibiotic since Saturday morning and I have kept the Tylenol coming. I guess UTIs are extremely rough on those with compromised health.
I want to honor my husband. I want to do what is right for him. I trust God with our finances, completely.
I am a high school Special Education teacher and sometimes the school atmosphere is one of complaining, grumbling, and backbiting. I am concerned about that atmosphere for me because, to a certain extent, I am also compromised and weary.
Rereading today’s passages. God is so amazing!
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. II Timothy 1:12
Stopping now to pray for you and Dennis, Kelly!
I think we were supposed to read 2 Timothy 1:1-12 instead of the second chapter.
I think so too.
You are correct. The study guide has 2 Timothy 1:1-18 printed as the reading!
Good call. I went and read those and think you’re right. Key passage: “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 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.”
2 Timothy 1:7-8 NIV
http://bible.com/111/2ti.1.7-8.niv
So sorry for that confusion! The reading for today is 2 Timothy 1:1-18. Thanks for letting us know! -Margot, The SRT Team
This scripture definitely spoke to me this morning. God has built a ministry in me my entire life, it is so graciously called “Grow Your Soul” because through my testimony, witnessing, counseling and loving in others I pray that some how there very souls can be strengthened through Christ. This entire year God has been speaking to me and I have books upon books of notes journaled that I now will be sharing through a blog that I am just getting started on. I honor and value each of you woman and would love for you to visit my blog and Instagram and let me know what you think. Not for my glory but to glorify God. I know each word spoken to me is from Him and that message is for someone. You can visit my blog at thegrowyoursoul.wordpress.com and my instagram is @_lifeandsoul please follow both if you wish and share with others.. see why this message
Not Ashamed of the Gospel
spoke to me today. God is putting me on a bigger platform than I have ever been on with a blog, but I am not ashamed of Him or his work in me.. thank you and God bless.
I have some family that are easily offended by my faith and I’ve been guilty of being silent about it to not offend. Lately, I’ve begun being more bold in speaking about it. It has been interesting to me that no one has pushed back, although I was ready for it. I’m not sure if this is God’s timing and they are more ready to hear or if I should have done it earlier no matter the cost.
I am encouraged by Erin’s words today. I will speak up, be bold and rise!
Have a great day, ladies!
what wonderful strength he has given you!
Perhaps your season of patience and kindness to them has opened their hearts and minds to what you have to share! Praying for you as you boldly proclaim your faith!
A call to live boldly in the faith! In today’s society I tend to find myself shying away from speaking truth. God, help me to not be ashamed. ❤️
❤️
I think that perhaps today’s scripture is supposed to be 2 Timothy 1:1-18.
I was thinking the same thing!
Amber, I think you are right. That makes more sense. Thanks.
I read what they gave us and 2 Timothy 1:1-18. More of God’s Word for us! Nice!
Sorry for the confusion about that! The reading today is 2 Timothy 1:1-18. We appreciate you letting us know! -Margot, The SRT Team
“Even so, let us rise”
Yes!