Shipwrecked

By Dariusz Jemielniak ("Pundit") - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

I chose this modern photo to remind me that shipwrecks aren’t ancient. In the book of Acts, Luke describes a shipwreck he experienced with Paul. I wonder if Paul thought of that when he wrote to Timothy:

Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: (1 Timothy 1:19 KJV)

When we see this in action - a person who had stated a faith in Christ as savior and Lord, yet turned their back to all Christianity stands for - it is saddening to see the pictures they share, defining the shipwreck  of their life.

It is difficult to comprehend since it can happen after passing years of training in college, questioning by pastor’s, serving as a church’s Pastor, then tossing it aside for a life that confirms scripture:

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Matthew 7:15-20 KJV)

I remember what scriptures tell us happened to a real tree that bore no fruit:

Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
(Matthew 21:18-19 KJV)

I would venture to say that particular fig tree was hewn down and case into a fire, wouldn’t you? It was useless as a fruit tree. We are given the fruit of the Spirit – the characteristics a Christian should be showing - in Galatians and again in Ephesians:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV)

(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) (Ephesians 5:9 KJV)

If we live with goodness, righteousness, and truth, surely we have the love, joy, peace – all the spiritual gifts gained by loving God and our neighbors. We are also told what things are not part of God’s Spirit, nor should they be part of a Christian’s life:

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 KJV)

We are also told what we should do with those who choose the fruit of the flesh:

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. (Ephesians 5:11-13 KJV)

And, we are told what we should do ourselves:

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  (Titus 2:11-12 KJV)

There are so many more verses to help us, but none of them tell us to take on the burdens of those who have chosen the fruit of the flesh. Jesus is ready to exchange their heavy burden for one that is light – He promised, and He is faithful:

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) (Hebrews 10:23 KJV)