2 Timothy 1:8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.
Did you hear the words: The testimony of the Lord?
No, no, Paul wasn't talking about his own testimony here, but the Lord's testimony.
We know this testimony is recorded in 1 John 5:11-12, where John wrote: 'And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.' Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
Sadly, many people till this day are ashamed of the testimony of the Lord, not realising that Jesus said: “For if anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels (Mark 8:38).”
You see, Paul was encouraging Timothy to be ready for mockery and onslaughts because of his faith in Christ, as Scripture testifies all over that believers will be hated for Jesus' name.
I love how Paul started his sentence unto Timothy; he wrote THEREFORE, pointing to the words he mentioned prior, telling them to be unashamed of the testimony of the Lord.
Watch, this is what he wrote: “For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Tim 1:7)."
Oh Hallelujah!
You see, you see why we NEVER EVER have to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord?
Because the Holy Spirit gives us power to be bold and love with which we even love our enemies and those who mock and come against us, and self-control, so that we don't react in those situations where people come against our faith in Christ.
Like Timothy, believers are reminded to rely on the Holy Spirit!
Just as the Holy Spirit enabled Christ to suffer persecution and die on the cross for us, He enables us to be unashamed of the testimony of the Lord!
Oh, and remember, Jesus said, "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matt 5:10-12)."
Amen