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"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; 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, 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!" 2 Timothy 1:8-10
Is there the need for such an exhortation? Almighty God, who knows the treachery of the human heart, knows that there IS the need. So, let us ask ourselves: “Am I ashamed? That is, do I fear the consequences for proclaiming the Gospel of Grace of Yâ-hwéh Yâhuwshúa`, The LORD Jesus Christ, and taking God at His Word?” Well, do you?
As the “minister of the circumcision” (Romans 15:8 , and Galatians 2:7-9 ), sent “only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24 ), Yâ-hwéh Yâhuwshúa`, The LORD Jesus Christ, said, “Whosoever shall be ashamed of ME and MY WORDS…of him also will the Son of man be ashamed.” (Romans 15:8 ; Matthew 15:24 ; Mark 8:38 ). Were these words of warning necessary? Let’s see, “Among the chief rulers also many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” John 12:42-43 . So, YES, would be the “A” answer!
Some years later the Apostle Paul wrote, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16 . Because he was fearless he suffered much, as can be readily learned from the Book of Acts and the Epistles of that period.
In the last of his writings, the Apostle Paul wrote to his son in The Faith, Timothy, “Be not thou 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.” 2 Timothy 1:8 .
From the fourth chapter of Ephesians we know that Yâ-hwéh Yâhuwshúa`, The LORD Jesus Christ, gave gifts for the edifying of the Body of Christ. These gifts are men. They, like the Apostle Paul, are stewards. A ministry has been committed unto them. “It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2 .
In writing to Timothy, with reference to “the testimony of our Lord,” which was the precious deposit committed to his trust, Paul wrote, “The things which thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others.” 2 Timothy 2:2 . At the close of 2 Timothy, the Apostle Paul wrote, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept The Faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 . This is “The Faith of God’s elect” (Titus 1:1 ), the “one Faith” (Ephesians 4:5 ), “The Faith of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16 ), which members of the Body of Christ have been given, and need to, and should, endeavor to keep and guard.
A fearful man makes a poor guard. The guard, if he recognizes and then knows the value of that which he guards, will die to protect his trust. Ephesians 1:15-23 ; Colossians 1:9-10 . He must be courageous, and endure hardness as a good soldier of Yâ-hwéh Yâhuwshúa`, The LORD Jesus Christ ” and seek only to “please Him who hath called him to be a soldier” Seeking to be “approved unto God” he will not fear, for “the fear of man bringeth a snare.” 2 Timothy 2:3-4 ; 2 Timothy 2:15 ; Proverbs 29:25 .
It is God’s will that His Word be properly presented. However, this is ONLY possible as we “study to show ourselves approved unto God, workmen that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” “THE THINGS THAT DIFFER” must be distinguished! Failure, at this juncture, right here, will result in the edge of the two-edged sword being perceived as dull! Never think, Child of God, that the plans of Yâ-hwéh Yâhuwshúa`, The LORD Jesus Christ, will be frustrated by YOU. God Forbid! YOU will be moved OUT of the way, and a Child of God who HAS studied to show himself approved of God, will be put in your place to get the job done! HE will receive the reward, and YOU won’t. Ya folla? 2 Timothy 2:15 ; Philippians 1:10; Hebrews 4:12 .
We should therefore join the “preacher, Apostle, and teacher of the Gentiles” in seeking God’s approval in the desire “to make all men see what is the dispensation of the Mystery, the Mystery among the Gentiles.” 2 Timothy 1:11 ; Ephesians 3:9 ; Colossians 1:27 .
Is courage required? You Betcha! Allow the Apostle Paul to speak, “This thou knowest that all they which were in Asia be turned away from me.” “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world…” “Only Luke is with me” 2 Timothy 1:15 ; 2 Timothy 4:10-11 .
But, remember, that “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”. “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.” “For unto you it given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” 2 Timothy 1:7-8 ; Philippians 1:29 .
Is your heart’s desire expressed in these words of inspiration, “that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings?” Philippians 3:10 . Well, is it?
“Be Not Thou Therefore Ashamed” 2 Timothy 1:8
So There You Have It!!!
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Comments
This verse is one of the very most important veres to understand discipleship:
“The things which thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others.” 2 Timothy 2:2
I pray to God that I will learn to be more faithful to find faithful men and woman to share what God has taught me that they may read and believe the Word of God and the Message of Grace in our Lord and multiply all over the world. It is easy to say but not easy to do...we need to pray for power and wisdom to evangelize and to disciple. We lay people can't depend on the pastors to do it all... God have mercy on us and help us to be more faithful.
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