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Larry Ray Hafley
We all know that Paul was "not ashamed of the gospel of Christ" (Rom. 1:16).
We also know that he urged Timothy not to be "ashamed of the testimony of our
Lord" (2 Tim. 1:8). But why? Why was Paul "not ashamed"? "I am not ashamed: for
I know Whom I have believed" (2 Tim. 1:12).
Men may fail and cause us to be ashamed of our support of them and their
cause. Germany was misled by Hitler. Israel was deceived by Absalom (2 Sam.
15:11). God warned His people not to trust in Egypt for protection and
deliverance. If you do, He said, "the strength of Pharaoh" shall "be your shame"
(Isa. 30:1-3). If we place our trust in preachers, they may deceive us. If we
repose our confidence in a congregation, it may digress and disappoint us.
Perhaps your faith has failed to sustain you during difficult days. Is it
because your faith has been misapplied? Have you unwittingly trusted in men, in
elders, preachers, family members, loved ones? You did not mean to do so, but
your faith has not been centered in Christ. It has been focused on this life and
the deeds of dear brethren. This is a recipe for failure, shame, and
disgrace.
When "all men" forsook Paul, he was not destroyed. Why? His faith was not in
his brethren; it was in Christ. He knew in Whom he had believed! "For he hath
said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, the
Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me" (Heb. 13:5,
6).
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