2 Timothy 1:8-12

8 So don't be ashamed of bearing testimony to our Lord or to me, his prisoner. On the contrary, accept your share in suffering disgrace for the sake of the Good News. God will give you the strength for it, 9 since he delivered us and called us to a life of holiness as his people. It was not because of our deeds, but because of his own purpose and the grace which he gave to us who are united with the Messiah Yeshua. He did this before the beginning of time, 10 but made it public only now through the appearing of our Deliverer, the Messiah Yeshua, who abolished death and, through the Good News, revealed life and immortality. 11 It was for this Good News that I was appointed a proclaimer, emissary and teacher of the gospel; 12 and this is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, because I know him in whom I have put my trust, and I am persuaded that he can keep safe until that Day what he has entrusted to me.




Wow. That's an incredible section. Paul doesn't want Timothy to be ashamed of preaching the name of Christ because of potential persecution.


Starting in verse 8, Paul is telling us to share with him in his suffering because it is for the gospel. He points out how gracious and mighty God's power is by reminding us that the Lord has saved us and gave us a holy calling. The holy calling is "not according to our works, but according to HIS purpose..."  That's why it's holy! This calling results in a life of holiness, justification, sanctification, and in completion, glorification. We have a righteous Father who gave us grace through Christ before time began; He covered us with perfect, selfless, blameless blood...everything that we are contrary in. He abolished--put an end to death and brought life to us (people who didn't seek after Him and had hard hearts, people like former Paul, Saul). Our Savior who saved us by grace and not of our own merit is the gospel! Paul recognizes that he has been appointed by the Almighty God to be an apostle...and that is why he suffers the way he does, but he is not ashamed, he is completely persuaded that no trial is deeper than God's love and that truth gives him the endurances for sufferings! Believing in God and knowing that He is able to keep us and continue to work in us until our dying day should make our lives reflect the love like His and give us humility. Philippians 1:6 is a verse that comes to mind when thinking about how faithful God is. Our life is a vapor, and it should be fulfilled by our ministry by laying up treasures in heaven.... "being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."


What wonderful promises God has given us!. Let's dwell on them and remember our holy calling.