“Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” – 2 Timothy 1:13
As Paul writes his dear friend Timothy from jail, he understands that it might be tempting for Timothy to compromise his faith and ministry to avoid similar suffering and humiliation. Paul repeatedly affirms that he isn’t embarrassed to be in jail for the Gospel and Timothy shouldn’t be either. Nonetheless, Paul understands the powerful temptation to compromise our faith in our risen Savior when the world doesn’t understand it, mocks it, or persecutes it.
This is a temptation we may feel ourselves. We might be similarly tempted to mute our proclamation of Jesus. We might be tempted to agreeably agree with people speaking against the faith, the importance and validity of the Bible, or certain doctrines that just aren’t popular. There are currently a wide range of topics for which the teaching of Scripture is radically out of step with our cultural moment. There are many places in which affirming what the Bible teaches will get you labeled as old-fashioned, arrogant, ridiculous, unrealistic, legalistic, unloving, or downright hateful. The temptation will increasingly be to avoid speaking of these or obeying them.
Don’t give in to those temptations!!! Hold firm to the sound doctrine of Scripture (i.e. the sound words we have heard from Paul and the other authors of Scripture). Don’t ever compromise about living a life that follows Jesus 24×7. Know the truth, speak the truth, and live the truth confident in the faith and love of Christ Jesus!