Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel, according to the power of God. 2 Timothy 1:8
What do you say when somebody asks you where you go to church? Even if you have a ready answer, do you squirm just a little? Or do you ever look around the little company to which you belong, and wish it were bigger, or the building a little fancier, or the location in a little more trendy part of town?
These are small ways in which we can be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord. The testimony is His assembly. The testimony is each of the little companies that gather to His name according to His word. And let’s face it, that testimony is under heavy assault these days. Organized religion has little but disdain for something so small as a little company of believers. Even the so-called evangelical circles consider us to be far too narrow-minded and rigid. It is difficult, especially for young people, not to be attracted to the large crowds, the excitement, the popularity, of many of the religious movements of our day. They can be easily embarrassed about the small numbers and the supremacy of the Scriptures that mark true testimonies.
Paul’s instructions here are for Timothy, a younger believer. He urges Timothy not to be ashamed, and his words now urge you not to be ashamed.
Consider the greatness of the One Whose testimony is your assembly. You have nothing to be ashamed of. -Jim MacIntosh