Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; [9] Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, [10] But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: [11] Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. (2 Timothy 1:8-11)
This passage is part of the epistle that Paul wrote to his young disciple Timothy. Paul was training him for the ministry of preaching. Paul is admonishing Timothy to “be not” ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of himself. In the same breath he is telling Timothy that he might suffer affliction for standing up for the gospel. He tells Timothy that Jesus not only saved us, but that he called us with an holy calling. Not because of anything we did (works), but because he has had a purpose for us (the saved and called) even before the world began. AND that because of Jesus and what He did for us (His sacrificial death on the cross) that we now have “immortal” (everlasting) life. This is the wonderful news, that we, even though we be not of the house of Israel, are offered the gospel of grace.
The passage comes after a familiar verse that reminds us that we are able to be “not ashamed” of the gospel because we have the power to do it. Look at what it says:
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
You see, we should not be fearful of witnessing to people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ because God does not give us the spirit of fear. He gives us the power to talk to anyone about Jesus. About the most important news that we have ever heard while on this planet.
I have a Savior, His name is Jesus. Have you met Him yet? Read how I learned about Him: Meet My Savior
