“Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord.” Paul’s admonition to Timothy in verse 8 may not make much sense to modern Mississippians, living as we do in the buckle of the Bible belt. But however socially acceptable it might be for us to belong to a church, that just wasn’t the case for Paul, or for Timothy, for that matter.

No, in their time, Jews and Gentiles alike looked down on Christians for putting their faith in a man who had died a criminal’s death on a cross. And when people like Paul were thrown in jail because of their faith (v. 16), unbelievers just couldn’t understand being so impractical. After all, why would anyone choose to follow a religious leader, dead or alive, if doing so meant having to suffer (v. 8)?

And many people in other parts of the world share such confusion today. Those who put their faith in the state to enforce the sorts of ethics they prefer, such as many Muslims and political “progressives,” simply can’t understand Christians who are willing to defy government edicts, enduring economic hardship or physical danger in order to be faithful to God’s Word. In the same way, the devotees of the “health and wealth” gospel, those who insist that Jesus wants all of His followers to have every material blessing they desire, can’t imagine why Christians would give up lucrative careers or creature comforts in order to engage in evangelism and missions. The crucified Christ still doesn’t make sense to people whose sole purpose is gaining and keeping the wealth and pleasure this world has to offer.

But instead of being ashamed that the “great and the good” think we are a bunch of ignorant losers, Paul encourages us to keep our focus on the great truths of the gospel itself. Yes, Jesus died on the cross, but in doing so, He abolished death for all those whom God has saved and called unto Himself (vv. 9-10). And in spite of the suffering and shame we might endure, God has given us His Holy Spirit to keep us from fear and to help us live in power and love and self control (vv. 7 and 14). And Christ is coming again (v. 18), to vindicate the faithful and demonstrate the short-sighted selfishness of those who are opposed to Him.

So, far from being ashamed of the gospel, let us cherish the truth of Christ that has been entrusted to all of us (v. 14). And let’s pass the faith on to our children just as Timothy received it from his mother and grandmother (v. 5), so that they too might come to know Christ – even if that also means they might have to go through some suffering as a result.

II Timothy 1:1-18 (ESV)

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,
2 To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.
4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.
5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,
7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,
9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher,
12 which is why I suffer as I do. 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.
13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
15 You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains,
17 but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me–
18 may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!– and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.