Not Ashamed: 2 Timothy 1:1-14 - Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
Mark Twain famously said, “It’s easier to fool someone than to convince them they’ve been fooled.” This simple statement goes a long way to explain why it’s so difficult to leave a religious cult, pyramid scheme, or abusive relationship. People are drawn to communities and charismatic individuals for acceptance, identity, and belonging. You have a sense of purpose because you’re part of something bigger than yourself. You feel intelligent and special as the group or its leaders help you make sense of the world. You feel safe and secure because people are looking out for you. But once you realize you’ve been riding on the crazy train, jumping off is going to hurt—and there’s always the risk the train might come back to run you over. Image by StockSnap from Pixabay Paul knew this all too well. After Jesus struck down Saul the Pharisee and baptized him as Paul the Apostle, his former peers and superiors saw his conversion as the ultimate betrayal. It was his job to destroy Christiani...
