The newspapers are full of reporst about the ship that lay stranded on Sunset Beach. It could be a dangerous operation to remove the cargo. It also serves as a warning to all of us that we do not allow our faith to be shipwrecked. There are definite suggested that will help you to avoid a shipwrecked faith life. Read on…Shipwrecked Faith
2003/08/22
In August 2003 an American cargo tanker ran aground right in front of our house at Sunset Beach. People have been flocking to see it and to take pictures for almost a week now. Day and night our house is surrounded by cars and people are crowding the dunes watching the stranded ship. The danger about this ship is that it carries 50 tons of uranium a very flammable chemical substance besides the hundreds of containers. The rescue operation was not helped by the high seas during the ice cold winter storm. Snow capped mountain peaks all around Cape Town turned made the wind icy cold. But people kept on braving the weather conditions to just have a look. Everyone is discussing what should be done to salvage the precious cargo. Reporters and camera men stalk the scene from every angle and amateur photographers imitate them as if they were being trained on the job. We have been given passes to enter our street because the whole area has been cordoned off and proclaimed as a disaster area until further notice.

Paul knew what it was like to experience a shipwreck. In his case the ship and the cargo were completely destroyed but the men were saved. The stranded on a little Island called Melita. (Malta) He spent three days in the deep waters probably clinging to some of the wreckage. He had warned the captain and the owner of the ship of the contrary winds but they ignored his warning. Yet in the midst of the storm an angel appeared to him and told him not to fear because God would spare his life and give the lives of the other slaves and sailors for his sake, because God wanted him to get to Rome to preach the Gospel to Caesar.

So when Paul wrote to Timothy about people shipwrecking their faith he actually knew exactly what he was writing about!
I Timothy 6:5 -21:
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
13I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 14That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. 17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 20O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

One of the main reasons why people stray from faith in God is greed. Those who desire to get rich quickly fall into temptations and snares and into many hurtful and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. When they stray from the faith because of their greediness they pierce themselves through with many sorrows. The other two reasons why people stray from the faith is pride and false teachings, falsely called knowledge.

There are ten ways suggested in this passage to avoid shipwrecked faith:
1. Realise that godliness with contentment is great gain
2. Understand that the love of money is the root of all evil
3. Flee from the things that want to shipwreck your faith in God.
4. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love patience, gentleness.
5. Fight the good fight of faith ? a good fight ends in victory!
6. Don?t put your trust in uncertain riches. (Wall street workers sniff cocaine)
7. Keep the apostolic commandments without spot and blameless.
8. Be rich in good works, ready to share.
9. Lay hold of eternal life by laying up a treasure for yourself in heaven.
10. Avoid profane and vain babblings and contradictions falsely called knowledge. By professing false teachings some have erred from the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus.