2Timothy 1:16
“The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:”
There is no doubt that the Apostle Paul emphasized not being ashamed. Seven times throughout the Pauline epistles you will see that Paul announced he was not ashamed. Before Paul was saved, he was not ashamed of his beliefs. When he got saved that strong belief system caused him not to be ashamed of Christ.
In the dark times in which we live, we need Christians who are not ashamed. God haters are not ashamed of the venom they spew towards Christianity. Terrorists are not ashamed of their hatred towards Christianity. Many who live sinful lifestyles are not afraid to advertise their filthy way of living. It’s time that Christians rise up and stop being ashamed of who they are and what God has called them to do. There are several things of which we should not be ashamed.
First, don’t be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul said in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ…” If the Gospel is what saves a person from Hell, then you have no reason to be ashamed to tell others about this good news. Why are you so fearful to tell someone about something that will keep them from Hell? Do you not believe in a Hell? Do you not believe that the Gospel of Christ can save them from that Hell? If the Gospel is what saves a person from their sin so they won’t have to go to Hell, then you should not be ashamed to tell everyone whose path you come across about this Gospel.
Second, don’t be ashamed of what you believe. Paul said in 2 Timothy 1:12, “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” He knew what he believed, and he was not ashamed of it. Maybe the reason Christians are ashamed of their Christian beliefs is because they don’t know what they believe. If you know what you believe, then you have no reason to cower to liberals. You have no reason to be ashamed if your beliefs are grounded in the Word of God.
Third, don’t be ashamed of your stand. Paul was not ashamed of his stand against the compromise of the church of Corinth. 2 Corinthians 7:14 shows that he knew he did the right thing. Friend, when you have to take a stand against compromise, don’t be ashamed of it. Truth may hurt some feelings, but you should never be ashamed when standing for truth.
Fourth, don’t be ashamed of living the separated life. Hebrews 2:11 talks about not being ashamed of being sanctified. This is living the separated life. Just because the lifestyle of Jesus Christ demands that you live, walk, talk and dress differently doesn’t mean you should be ashamed. Rather, you should be proud to be identified with Jesus Christ.
The great part about not being ashamed of these four areas is that God won’t be ashamed of you. Hebrews 11:16 says, “But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” When a Christian decides to make a strong stand for Christ in these four areas, they will find that God is not ashamed of them and will help them as they take a stand. I challenge you today not to be ashamed and take your stand for the Gospel, truth and living the separated life.