Don’t Be Ashamed of the Gospel
Open Your Bible
2 Timothy 1:1-18, 2 Corinthians 3:4-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
BY Charaia Callabrass
My high school experience was vastly different from the average adolescent. It wasn’t filled with exceptionalism or much experimentation, but it was four years of going to the same school where my father taught. I remember one day, as a senior, after almost four years of being the kid that never got into trouble, I decided it was time to rebel. I attempted to skip the last period, only to receive a call from my father who spotted me walking to my car from his classroom window.
Students who knew of my dad or knew him as a teacher were quick to call him strict. And when they discovered that the school’s scary drill sergeant was also my father, they were surprised to hear that what they knew of him and what I knew to be true of him were vastly different. I spent a lot of time ashamed of being my father’s daughter. A shame that stood on what others believed to be true of him.
In 2 Timothy 1, Paul sees the timidity that Timothy struggles with and the fear that he possesses regarding the call of God on his life. Paul encourages Timothy that boldness is a gift from the Lord and that when he chooses to put on courage, he will be moved to put off shame (2Timothy 1:8).
It’s easy to forget. At the time this letter was written, following a crucified Master wasn’t easy. It wasn’t something one would specifically find pride in doing. Jesus spent His time on earth teaching principles that contradicted the ways of the world and then died a brutal death. For those who did not understand the good news of the resurrection, the testimony of Christ was one steeped in shame. We, too, can find ourselves placing the good news under a cloak. Both afraid and embarrassed to share about the Jesus we’ve known to be true because we’re more concerned with how others will receive our testimony based on what they know of Jesus.
But the truth is that when we step into the gift of courage in Christ, we shed shame. When we recall what God has proven to be true, the remnants of shame that attempt to attach themselves to the good news of the gospel we are called to share are removed (v.11).
When we find ourselves shrinking back from proclaiming the good news of Christ, what we know to be true of Jesus can be the backbone of our courage.
Shame cannot exist in the context of true intimacy. As we pursue Him and allow the Holy Spirit to make deposits into us, we are moved from shame to honor. No longer burdened with embarrassment as we tell others of Jesus, but brought into a place of joy and delight regarding the testimony of our King.
41 thoughts on "Don’t Be Ashamed of the Gospel"
-
Dear Shes. “Guard the good deposit through the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” 2 Timothy 1: 14. His glorious deposit. Greater than gold. Bank on it.
With Well Wishes for a Wonderful Weekend!
Thanks be to God. -
Extra urgent prayer request tonight: my cousin’s wife was just diagnosed with breast cancer at 37 weeks pregnant with their second child. She was induced yesterday and had their baby girl today. She will begin chemotherapy pretty quickly, with surgery being on the horizon. I can’t imagine the bittersweet emotions of the postpartum period thrown into cancer treatment. She has a strong support system but is not a believer. Please pray for Tori and Ben and their family.
-
Be not ashamed to share the gospel. Amen. Thank you Searching for the Hawaiian version. It was hilarious and amazing. That’s how God is personal with us through the way He communicates. Glory be to Him. Have a lovely weekend sisters. God is good all the time.
-
I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and Mother Eunice, and now, I am convinced, is in you also. V.5
This reminds me of my Grandmother who always read her Bible everyday and would tell us about God and made sure we went to Sunday School and Church. As I became an adult every time I saw her she would write me Bible verses on note paper and give me. Then one day she told me to find my faith in Hod and Our Savior, and to ask for forgiveness of my sins and know the Holy Spirit. I just don’t get it back then….the Bible seemed hard and I didn’t understand so much. I always listened to her and she gave me verses right up till her ended days on this earth. She was an amazing woman and she is the one who kept. Nudging me hoping one day I would pick up my Bible and never put it down. I had a lot of bumps along my path, but knowing God is the best thing that has ever happened to me. He is my Rock and I need Him everyday! -
I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and Mother Eunice, and now, I am convinced, is in you also. V.5
-
Through this whole process with my dad I can’t imagine not having faith to fall back on. Courage is one of the greatest gifts god could ever give us. In times like I’m in now I have to remember we were made for each moment we are going through. Through trials it brings us closer to god and helps us become the people we were made to be.
-
@Tricia Cavanaugh I would love to see/hear your testimony?! Please share with us, I know you will do great, just speak from your heart! I have a deathly fear of speaking in front of large groups, so I hope I am never asked! So you go girl!
Hope everyone had a good Friday, and enjoy the wkd ahead!
-
I really appreciate when you all share your stories of God’s working in your lives.
Today a small phrase in 2 Timothy 1:12 stuck out to me, “I’m not ashamed because I know whom I have believed”. That’s my prayer today, that when I feel hopeless, ashamed, spiritually attacked, discouraged, judged, fearful, or whatever else I can respond “I know whom I have believed”.
Post Comments (41)