Shame, shame, shame

2 Timothy 1:8-14

⁸ So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. ⁹ For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. ¹⁰ And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. ¹¹ And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News.

¹² That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.

¹³ Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.

Paul is encouraging Timothy in his faith, it’s a strong faith, reminding him of his heritage, his call and the Holy Spirit’s empowerment.  What a great mentor to have in ministry.  Though the words that caught my eye in this passage were for Timothy not to be ashamed (verse 8) or embarrassed, as the gospel is not a cause for shame verse 12 or regret (Message version).

Shame can be such a complex emotion, you can feel it, or others can make you feel it, and it can bring isolation either by excluding yourself or being excluded by others. I know that I have felt shame from others for being a Christian, the values I have, going against social norms not ‘fitting in’ or participating in behaviours and language like everyone else. Then feeling shame myself for not speaking up or not being bold enough in social/work settings to talk about Jesus, church or Christian activities I’m involved in. There is a strong spiritual aspect to this shame. So, Paul is encouraging Timothy and us that our belief and lives in Jesus are not to be regretted or to be embarrassed by, if suffering comes because of it, then know that you are doing something right.  Remember, it’s the Spirit of God that empowers and will keep us (verse 14).

Jesus, firstly I ask for your forgiveness for being ashamed of you and the gospel in so many situations through the years. Thank you for Paul and this reminder that your Spirit is one of boldness to empower us to defeat these spiritual attacks of shame that the devil wants to throw at us, to silence us from living and speaking the Good News of your gospel.  Amen

Written by Suzie Hodgson