10/29

2 Timothy 1:12

¹². . . which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.

The apostle Paul suffered because he was appointed to proclaim the message of salvation through faith in Jesus. By declaring the truth of the gospel, he was challenging all other systems of belief. That would mean rejection and ridicule from most people, but salvation for many. It is the same today. If we declare that Jesus is the only way to God, we will face rejection by many but also see a few find salvation and life eternal.

The ridicule and scorn did not cause Paul to be ashamed, nor should it cause us to be ashamed. We know the One we believe. We know He is real, loving, and gracious. We know He can keep us from falling away when we face persecution. He enables us to stand firm by His power and not back down from the truth.

Jesus guards our hearts from the temptation to go the easy route. We are going against the current of this world. This is because this world is under the control of the evil one (1 John 5:19). We are not ashamed of the message or the persecution we face. We would rather suffer for the truth and eternal glory than be comfortable with a lie and face eternal judgment.

Thanksgiving: Thank the Lord for the help He gives us in guarding until that Day what has been entrusted to us.