I love these letters from Paul. Timothy and Titus. I believe them to be letters from God to us, His children. His Church. They tell of the mission of the Church. To preach the truth. To advance God’s Kingdom in the world and promote the will of God on earth. In Luke 13:21 we hear what Jesus says about His Kingdom. The Kingdom of God “is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.” We advance the Kingdom as we follow God’s instructions in these letters.
This chapter tells us that we can shipwreck our faith by what we intentionally do. There are slow shipwrecks (leaks that start in a storm and grow worse storm by storm) and fast sinkings (like the Titanic or what happens when you hit a reef). By the way, ask me sometime about the reef we hit off Saltspring Island, British Columbia when sailing a 50-foot Benateau. Scary stuff. We should have known better as we had good charts. We should have considered what the depth finder was clearly telling us. And our hired Captain was so hung over he couldn’t think straight. That reef cost me a lot of money. I'm thankful that’s all it cost us.
Yes, as the Bible says you and I as believers in Christ can turn away from God. Once saved always saved? Well, my view is that nothing can separate us from God’s love. God is faithful. But God is so Sovereign that He gives us free will and that includes the free will to shipwreck our faith. That's what the Bible teaches us and it lines up well with the reality we see in the Church.
Wholesome teaching comes from the glorious good news of Jesus - passed down from God our Saviour and Jesus Christ who gives us hope.
God’s law is perfect. It shows sin. Every man and woman sins. We know that all too well. All people need forgiveness from sin to enter God’s presence. We hear from Jesus’ message to the Church in Sardis the importance of remaining holy (Revelation 3:4). There is a warning in this chapter not to deliberately violate our consciences (1:19). If we do we will shipwreck our faith and there will be terrible consequences. Warnings are in the Bible for a reason. To keep us in a close relationship with God and to help us to fulfill God’s mission for the church.
What is sin? Who are we kidding, we all know very well. Just look at the last century or so. Yes, we’ve seen a lot of progress, and the Kingdom advances at the Providential Hand of God. But we had the first and second world wars. Vietnam. Iraq. Afghanistan. And constant conflict. Yet God's church advances. And we continue to have all sorts of moral uncertainty. We have courts that okay Satanic statues in capital buildings and we have disgusting parades of satanic revelry across the globe.
Sin is lawlessness and rebellion against God. It is knowing right but doing wrong anyway. It is failing to recognize and rever the sacred things of God: people, marriage, God’s word, His church, love for God and others, prayer, righteousness, God’s way, and genuine faith. It is any practice or action that contradicts Jesus' wholesome teaching.
God is graceful and merciful. But God forbid we test His patience and mercy. Paradoxically sin can indeed draw people closer to God. When a man knows well that he is a sinner it is then that he knows he needs a Savior. Have you ever woken up after drinking too much whiskey? Oddly, it can be a good thing. I know, legalists will pounce on me for that. So be it. That does not mean that we aim to sin. God forbid. But let's counsel people well to know that there is forgiveness for sin in the Cross of Jesus Christ. And it is through Christ that we chart well this life on the seas. Let’s take the Bible’s warnings seriously. Proverbs 22:3 says, “A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.”
The name of Jesus Christ is sacred. Jesus is the Creator of everything and the Holy One who gives earthly and eternal life. God saves sinners like you and me. He knows our wicked hearts, foibles, and sins. And He still loves us. God has “great patience with even the worst sinners” (1:16). Thank God for His great patience. Anyone, even the worst of sinners, can believe in Jesus and receive eternal life.
Jesus, please help us in this coming year to know You more and to better understand Your Word and Your Ways. May we fight well in Your battles and we pray that Your Kingdom advances through the good works that You prompt us to do. Please bless your church today. Forgive us for our sins and help us to stay faithful to you alone. Amen.
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