Shipwrecked Faith

1 Timothy 1:18-19 “This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck”

When my kids were young my wife and I would take them camping to a large state park in Oregon. We loved going to this place by the sea and joining with her parents for a week of bicycle riding, fishing, and enjoying the beautiful Oregon beach. On this beach, not far from Fort Stevens State Park is an old shipwreck called the Peter Airedale that only adds a mystic to the place.

Love tested

Just like the Peter Iredale, the storms of life can drive a persons faith into the sandbar of life or the storm can propel the steadfast of heart into all that God has purposed.

If we allow ourselves to take our eyes off the course by which God has placed us, whether it is because of evil, temptation, or our sinful nature, we become self-serving and our view of others is affected. When our faith is secure in Christ, then no matter what comes our way our ship remains steadfast.

Paul described in the beginning of his letter to Timothy the purpose of God’s commandment—to love.

Love defines a man or woman who is walking with God. There are ways in which love excels so in 1 Timothy 1:5, Paul lists three characteristics by which love is done well.

• A Pure Heart— A pure heart is one  “without admixture” as described by its root word Katharos. It is undefiled, pure, and unstained by this world. Jesus described the pure in heart as those who will see God (Matt.5:8). When love is brought from a pure heart, it has been directed by God’s love.
• A Good Conscience—A good conscience joins moral and spiritual consciousness as part of being created in the divine image. A conscience inspired by a divine and moral God lead forth in righteousness and truth.
• Sincere Faith—Sincerity of faith is not hypocritical but remains true to God’s Word. It isn’t conflicted in its expression but is sincere and faithful. A sincere believer remains true to their calling.

When it seems like the sails are about to tear, and the ship begins to take on water, or the storms of life drive us into trouble, the ship remains stable when the sincere of faith walk with a good conscience and a pure heart….they will not be moved.

Love Steadfast

1 Timothy 1:3 “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. “

Guarding the heart is vital when it comes to maintaining godly integrity. Like a good captain, we will avoid the hazards of life as the Lord leads the way.

• False Doctrine—This deceptive form of teaching mimic’s truth but reveals a lie. The deceiver intentionally teaches falsely to edify themself, luring others down a path that results in bondage. The quickest way to discern truth from error is to hold everything against the Word of God. The Word is the very standard by which Truth is established, falsity leads your ship on a wayward course.
• Fables—Stories that lead the listener into a misrepresentation of what the scripture intended is another error that brings instability to faith. The sails of faith can easily tear and lose their ability to stay true in purpose. Stories mislead the listener down a path that has nothing to do with God’s divine plan.
• Endless Genealogies—Why do you suppose people wrestled with knowing their lineage in Paul’s day? Pride! As the church progressed into a mixture of jews and gentiles, tracing lineage would show an order of descendants that would allow some to set themselves over others like a pedigree of rank. This focus pulled down the church rather than built it up and the potential for sinking the unity of the faith becomes greater with each error.

Love Shipwrecked

Can you see the patterns of success or destruction? What begins as false doctrine, fables, and endless genealogies progresses into idle talk and confusion.

I can only imagine the chaos aboard a ship that is about to see it’s demise. The struggle to maintain the integrity of a ship turns into panic as the vessel is compromised.

When people work toward a common goal in unity and purpose, the results are something to behold. When confusion and disunity occurs, the intended hope for a successful journey can be held up by obstacles of trouble.

• Idle talk—Endless genealogies lead to fruitless conversations. The church is weakened when the congregation focuses more on building up one’s own position rather than building up others.
• Confusion—Imagine the myriad of ways that false doctrine infects a congregation. Those who subscribe to this teaching form doctrine that spins it’s way into all forms of bad theology and improper use of God’s laws. The Pharisees in Jesus’ day added a myriad of laws that were never intended by God to be administered. These extra biblical standards became oppressive and troubled those who tried to live by them.

God’s people are all traveling together. The ship we are on is not just our own faith but is founded in the Kingdom of God—a Kingdom that is comprised of God’s Holy Church. We are not alone in this journey nor are we meant to travel alone. The way in which we encourage and edify one another has its purpose in glorifying Christ before the world.

Love Edified

From every walk of life, every nation, and tongue the people who are represented in God’s Kingdom are those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and walk in the unity of the Spirit.

As God’s people we are called to carry the message of sin and redemption to the world.

Sin is the act of breaking God’s law. Those who are under the law are those who have not been redeemed by Christ. The law makes sin very evident to those who try to justify themselves by their standard of good works.

1 Timothy 1:15 “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”

God’s people do not set themselves as judges over others, they are quite aware of their own weaknesses. The law of the Lord is sufficient to bring an understanding of the need for Jesus’ redeeming grace.

1 Timothy 1:16-17 “However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Like Timothy, we are called to wage warfare against all that would wreck the faith of others. We must guard ourselves and hold fast to that which we have been called, knowing that when we walk in Truth, we walk in the Power of God.

There will always be those who try to shipwreck our faith and introduce trouble into our lives and into the church. If we keep our eyes above and go forth in the power of the Spirit and in wisdom, we will not be shipwrecked in our ability to express God’s love and the church will flourish in all that God intended.