Faith Ship

READ: Jeremiah 37,38; Psalms 114; 1 Timothy 1

SCRIPTURE:  1 Timothy 1: 18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,
19 holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.

OBSERVATION:  I recently heard that a large fishing boat suddenly sank while the fishermen who stayed on it were busy in fishing.  They were too busy to notice the hole that caused the shipwreck. They were on the brink of death but saved by the fishermen in nearby boats. Ancient Ephesus was a port city and a Roman colony. Paul’s use of words “fight the battle” and “shipwreck”  in commanding Timothy is relevant to the cultural context of Ephesus, where Timothy ministered. One of the problems in the Ephesus church was that some men taught false doctrines (v.3). Paul commands Timothy to recall the earlier prophecies about him and urges him to “fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience.” In verse 5 also, Paul mentions good conscience and faith when he speaks about the purpose of the commandment. “Holding on to faith and a good conscience” is vital to our fight against false teachings and our daily Christian living.

Faith is an essential weapon in our spiritual warfare against the devil. Faith shields us and extinguishes “all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Eph.6:16). To stand against false doctrines and legalism, we need to hold on to our faith in Jesus Christ firmly. Good conscience refers to good conduct, leading a holy life. By putting together faith and conscience, Paul tells us that one’s faith and life are interconnected. Paul says, “Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk” (v.6). Here the word “some” refers to Judaizers and those who teach false doctrines. Again in verse 19, Paul says about them that they have rejected a good conscience, “so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.” As a voyager, Paul knew the pain of a shipwreck. Those who reject faith and a good conscience cause severe damage to themselves. “Contrary to the sound doctrine,” nowadays we hear and see many modern teachings, misleading behaviors, and sins.  (v.10). In our spiritual warfare against worldliness and false teachings, we always should be careful to “holding on to faith and a good conscience.” 

APPLICATION: I must have faith and good conscience to defend the Gospel and stand against any false teaching. I will not pay heed to whatever that is “contrary to the sound doctrine.” Instead, I will focus on growing in my faith by listening and obeying the word of God. I will not give the devil a foothold to cause a shipwreck of my faith.

PRAYER:  Eternal God, thank you for your words that warn and correct me. Jesus, thank you for your love that saves me. Lord, help me to guard my faith and live holy for your glory. Amen.

- Arputharaj Samuel
+91 9538328573

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