No Shame

No Shame Have you ever been “shamed” for your faith? Maybe you’ve sat through a lecture on the “ignorance of Christianity.” Perhaps you have a coworker who passionately believes that God is just a crutch for weak people. Regardless of your situation, these interactions can often be awkward or intimidating. Paul was very familiar with the world’s rejection of Christ’s message. In fact, he wrote today’s scripture while he was in prison! Despite his circumstances, Paul told his protégé, Timothy, to be unashamed of the gospel—the very thing that put Paul in prison. This is not simply a command, but a hope-filled firework intended to bring God’s beautiful light into darkness. We are to be unashamed because God has given us His Spirit. And it’s not a Spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). The world we live in is filled with hostility because a person determined to gain power is the complete opposite of the service-filled life God desires. But if the Spirit of God dwells within you, you can walk confidently, knowing that you bring life wherever you go.