GOODNEWSLETTER_____________________Number 404 January 18, 2012____________________ASHAMED of Being a Christian???"Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord;" For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed;" "The Lord grant mercy to the house ofOnesiphorus for he often refreshed me; and was not ashamed of my chains;" I Timothy 1:8, 12, 16.
When we are young and, a bit stupid, we felt embarrassment, at times; in human and spiritual matters. But, over the years, our walk shows us that the truth is always the path thatGod calls us to walk. And, when we fail to trust in the truth, we are sometimes, ashamed – even, "ashamed of" of our calling and testimony.In the Greek language, "Ashamed of" is the same as it is for us in everyday life. A young lad, impressed with his own ideas, will lack confidence; whether, its our parents or the Wordof God. Usually, when Dad made a point that was against those we ran with, we were embarrassed. We were "ashamed of" what he said. After all, Dad wasn't too cool when we were young.But, as the saying goes, "When I was young, Dad didn't even know how to tie his shoes. However, over the years, he has sure gotten a lot smarter." I think it's fair to say that the same thing aboutour stand with the Bible; or, our lack of a stance.As a new convert, we are amazed of what God has done; but, the more we grow up in the Spiritual life, we learn that God is; and, that His Word is workable in everyday life when we puttrust in what is said. It's like leaving home and taking a stand for ourselves. The wonderful truth is, like it was in Mom and Dad's house, dinner is always on the table. God is good all the time.
The best place to start is Paul's great passage found in Romans 1:16. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to theJew first and also to the Greek." The gospel – the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ – is such a reality that should permeates every believer's life now, in the presence; somethingthat often comes later in life.As we grow in God's righteousness, our hearts become firmly fixed upon the gospel-truth. And, since we learn that we are saved because of what Christ did at Calvary on our behalf, welearn to not be ashamed of the Lord's testimony He has for us to present. We become preachers, even.Over the years of walking with the Lord, our thoughts learn to be just as Paul, who "was not ASHAMED OF" the gospel or, the things God had him to do or, of those who helped him inGod's service. Onesiphorus (Onie, for short) was a big help in the time of Paul's chains and trials. I wonder if Onie or, Odie or, Ollie, or anyone else for that matter, are thinking of those under diredistress in God's service? Let's think and pray for those who might be, Brethren. Let's be bold by knowing that God is good, all the time..