One of the most important commands we are called to do as Christians tends to be one of the hardest challenges we face: sharing the gospel. While those who live in the USA do not face physical persecution for their faith, many Christians hesitate to share the gospel because they fear the suffering that comes with it, whether that is a relationship that will suffer or even put their job at risk. Morever, even if there is not a concern of suffering, there may be a sense of shame. That sense of shame is present, not because they are ashamed at the message of the gospel, but that they fear for the approval of man more in the moment than they do God. 2 Timothy 1:8-14 speaks to those who can relate to such suffering and shame. The Apostle Paul continues his exhortation to Timothy by calling for him to not be ashamed of his relationship with the Lord nor of his relationship to Paul. Instead of shame, he tells Timothy to “share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God” (verse 8). The reason the gospel is worth suffering for is because Timothy has been saved by it and called to it. It is not by any works of his own that he has been saved, but by the grace of God through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The same is true for us. We have not been saved by anything we have done but only through the good news of what Jesus has done for us. Just as Paul was not ashamed of the gospel and exhorts Timothy not to be ashamed, we also must hear that command. God is faithful to guard what He has entrusted to us in the gospel. The only way we can do this is by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. May we work out what God is working in with the good deposit He has entrusted to us.

Reflection Questions:

1. What is your biggest struggle with sharing your faith? Is it more a sense that something may suffer as a result or that you have shame due to fear of man?
2. What person in your life can you follow the pattern of their way of life in sharing Christ?