Ashamed of the Gospel?

For some reason Paul warned Timothy not to be ashamed of the Gospel. Perhaps he detected a bit of that in him – much as he seems to have detected timidity in Timothy. At times Christians act as if they are ashamed of the Gospel. Being compared to sheep—dumb animals—and serving a Messiah who died are things that do not commend us to the those around us. But we are called to bear the reproach of Christ when we belong to Him. And we are encouraged when we share in His sufferings.