“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 (1:16), 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 (1:8)?

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 (1:9-10). 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 (1:7 and 14). And Christ is coming again (1:18), 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 (1:14). And let’s pass the faith on to our children just as Timothy received it from his mother and grandmother (1:5), 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 (NASB)

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus,
2 to Timothy, my beloved son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
3 I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day,
4 longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy.
5 For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.
6 And for this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me His prisoner; but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,
9 who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,
10 but now has been revealed by 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 an apostle and a teacher.
12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
13 Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
14 Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.
15 You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16 The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chains;
17 but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me, and found me–
18 the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day– and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus.