1 Timothy 1:18-20
Broken windows, holes in the hull, plus a tilting deck. That is a simple description of various boats I have seen abandoned on the beach. I often wonder what they were like before they were left to rot in the sun and surf. What did they do or not do that led to their undesirable defeated demise? I can recall one boat that is a faded green and a dirty white laying unmoved, at an angle, in the tidal mud for years. A boat that was once valuable and useful is now nothing but wasted junk that clutters the beach. Lighthouses, maps and guides are all available to prevent shipwrecks. The same is true in our spiritual life. We need direction and guidance to navigate the often treacherous waters in our daily life. In 1 Timothy 1:18-20 Paul addresses Timothy regarding the issue of spiritual shipwrecks. He closes out this chapter by naming two men who wrecked their faith because they focused on other things rather than the Biblical truth of the gospel message (20). They rejected personal faith in God and thus blasphemed God through their life. These men were removed from positions of teaching and influence to be taught a lesson. The spiritual shipwreck was public and a visible warning for all. The collapse of faith is evident still today. What do we need to do to combat it? First, we need to be servants, like Timothy, who are committed to serving only God’s agenda in our personal life and church life. Second, we need to be like soldiers who fight for the truth of the gospel not personal preferences and legalistic concepts (19). Finally, we need to be like sailors and use the word of God to navigate life correctly, living as helpful examples of faith not harmful misdirectors. Only by faithfully following Jesus can we find purpose, power and direction to combat the treacherous waters of life.
For More See 1 TIMOTHY
Broken windows, holes in the hull, plus a tilting deck. That is a simple description of various boats I have seen abandoned on the beach. I often wonder what they were like before they were left to rot in the sun and surf. What did they do or not do that led to their undesirable defeated demise? I can recall one boat that is a faded green and a dirty white laying unmoved, at an angle, in the tidal mud for years. A boat that was once valuable and useful is now nothing but wasted junk that clutters the beach. Lighthouses, maps and guides are all available to prevent shipwrecks. The same is true in our spiritual life. We need direction and guidance to navigate the often treacherous waters in our daily life. In 1 Timothy 1:18-20 Paul addresses Timothy regarding the issue of spiritual shipwrecks. He closes out this chapter by naming two men who wrecked their faith because they focused on other things rather than the Biblical truth of the gospel message (20). They rejected personal faith in God and thus blasphemed God through their life. These men were removed from positions of teaching and influence to be taught a lesson. The spiritual shipwreck was public and a visible warning for all. The collapse of faith is evident still today. What do we need to do to combat it? First, we need to be servants, like Timothy, who are committed to serving only God’s agenda in our personal life and church life. Second, we need to be like soldiers who fight for the truth of the gospel not personal preferences and legalistic concepts (19). Finally, we need to be like sailors and use the word of God to navigate life correctly, living as helpful examples of faith not harmful misdirectors. Only by faithfully following Jesus can we find purpose, power and direction to combat the treacherous waters of life.
For More See 1 TIMOTHY
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