Paul certainly was not ashamed … “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” Romans 1:16

It is not God’s Will for any Believer to be ashamed … “Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” Romans 9:33 and 10:11, twice!

In fact, Paul was not even ashamed when he suffered, for Jesus’ sake I mean. “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12

But I think the kind of un-ashamedness I’m describing today particularly concerns anything I preach from the powerful Word of God. Sort of like this … “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

David, in Psalm 25:2 prays specifically … “O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed.”

Oh no doubt, we Bible Preachers will be mocked more and more in these days approaching the Lord’s Return. Of that I have no fear, nor will I be ashamed.

I just fear being “wrong” on some point of interpreting the Bible. I KNOW the Bible is perfect, but me as a teacher … very imperfect!

So I need daily the Presence and Power and Wisdom of God the Holy Spirit as I preach and teach the Book!

And in that sense, I like Paul “KNOW THAT I SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED!” But it’s a job at times keeping Brother Bagwell right, in as close a Fellowship as I should be. Oh, to abide in my Saviour constantly!

So many winds of doctrine blowing around nowadays … Ephesians 4:14 … some blowing even good men off the “old paths” … Jeremiah 6:16 … that one can’t be too careful.

“Lord, give me sufficient holy boldness and humble un-ashamedness … I pray.”

Back to Psalm 25, the solution for un-ashamedness I suspect … “Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.” (Verse 4)

I shall not be ashamed as God imparts to me His Secrets! I will preach them in fact! Secrets found embedded in the Word of God, Holy Scripture! “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him.” Still Psalm 25:14

David ends the Psalm as he began … “O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.” Psalm 25:20

Boldness in my Faith and and Wisdom from trusting the Lord … and any potential shame will be gone!

Praise the Lord!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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