Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 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.

2 Timothy 1:8-12

Are you ready?

Are you ready to boldly testify about our Lord?
Are you ready to share in the suffering for the gospel?
Are you ready to suffer?

It may come soon, it may delay for some time still, but the time in the West for us to live in comfort with our Christian testimony will end in some way. As I read Paul’s instructions to Timothy, I think about how must more difficult it was back then to make “the choice” (in the sense of being on the other side of salvation as an elect person, looking in) to be a Christian—there were immediate and very real consequences to that decision. Today, we don’t have to “pay” for our faith in our culture. We can become a Christian, and later choose to “walk away” (Heb. 6:4-6) without many worldly consequences.

When that changes, how will you fare?
Are you ready to suffer for your faith?
Are you ready for your family to suffer for your faith?
Are you ready for your children to suffer for your faith?

Paul makes it clear that he was willing to suffer because what he suffered for was absolutely worth the cost. We need to ask ourselves, do we really believe that?

Ask yourself this morning, is this gospel worth suffering for:

“…Share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel…”

It most certainly is! Lord, give us the strength we need to live that conviction.

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The “Isolation Introspection” series started as an opportunity for me to encoruage members of our Bible Study with daily reflections from the M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan during the 2020 “Stay at Home” mandate in Los Angeles. I’ve moved them here so that they can be shared easily, and perhaps benefit others. I hope you enjoy!