Ashamed of the Gospel

I am not ashamed of the gospel: it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes; the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Rom 1:16)

Paul not ashamed of the gospel

Several times in Paul’s two letters to Timothy he reiterated that he was not ashamed of the gospel, and admonished him to be like himself. For example,

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, 2 Tim 1:8

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. 2 Tim 1:12

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15

In his book, Ashamed of the Gospel, John MacArthur suggests that Timothy “struggled with the sin of being ashamed.” That he was ashamed of the testimony of the Lord, and of Paul. He writes,

Timothy was a timid soul, not at all like the strong and courageous Paul. He was young, and some people demeaned him of that (1 Tim. 4:12)… Publicly proclaiming God’s truth could land him in prison with Paul. At the very least, he was sure to incur hostility and debates from Jews who were antagonistic to the gospel. (Page 44)

MacArthur adds that Timothy may have struggled with impulses from youthful lusts (2 Tim 2:22), and wasn’t all that he was meant to be. Some of the dynamics have changed since then, but being ashamed of the gospel is ever-present. Today, some churches and pastors are pragmatically bending to the demands of the culture.

As I write, pastors are going soft on abortions and inviting practicing gay and lesbians to speak at their churches. But all Christians are under the same pressure to either conform or keep quiet. Moreover, some are frequently asked to celebrate “Pride” in their workplaces. Read Romans 1.

Paul’s remedy was to command Timothy to preach, and go “against his natural inclinations and inhibitions.” That advice is still relevant to us all.

Preach the Word

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths. 2 Tim 4:1-4 (See The Pastor’s Mandate)

Let us not be ashamed of the gospel! And let’s pray for those pastors who are like modern-day Pauls.

Maranatha!

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