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The Most Underrated Book in the Bible

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The book of Philemon may be the most underrated book in the Bible.

Like some of Shakespeare’s obscure plays, Philemon is a book people say they’ve read when they haven’t. Have you read it? Do you know what it’s about?

If you were to ask your pastor or a theologian about Philemon, they would say it’s the story of a runaway slave, Onesiumus, who met Paul, became a believer, and was sent home to his master Philemon. Okay, so what? Why is this letter in the Bible? It contains no statements of doctrine and seems to be little more than a letter between friends.

This short letter is nothing less than the gospel story. It is your story and my story because we are all – in a manner of speaking – runaway slaves who are deserving of death.

The good news of Philemon is that we have a Friend in high places. What Paul was to Onesimus, Jesus is to us. He is the Friend who settles all claims against us and paves the way for us to come home.

Usually, the gospel story is told from the sinner’s perspective (e.g., the prodigal son, the tax collector at the temple). But this story is told from the perspective of the mediator. It’s about Paul (representing God the Son) interceding to Philemon the master (representing God the Father).

What Paul says about the slave—“forgive him, receive him, accept him”—is what Jesus says on our behalf.

The letter to Philemon brilliantly shows how the partnership between God the Father and God the Son is good news for you. It’s not about what you must do for God but what God has done for you. It’s about how you can have a confident expectation of the Father’s favor.

I have written a verse-by-verse commentary on Philemon that will be published in a few weeks as part of the Grace Bible series. But this story is too good to wait, so I have decided to release Philemon right now for free. You can get it here by signing up as a free member on Patreon. (Did I mention that it’s totally free?)

Grace and peace,
Paul

Filed Under: Uncategorized

The Most Underrated Book in the Bible

by

The book of Philemon may be the most underrated book in the Bible.

Like some of Shakespeare’s obscure plays, Philemon is a book people say they’ve read when they haven’t. Have you read it? Do you know what it’s about?

If you were to ask your pastor or a theologian about Philemon, they would say it’s the story of a runaway slave, Onesiumus, who met Paul, became a believer, and was sent home to his master Philemon. Okay, so what? Why is this letter in the Bible? It contains no statements of doctrine and seems to be little more than a letter between friends.

This short letter is nothing less than the gospel story. It is your story and my story because we are all – in a manner of speaking – runaway slaves who are deserving of death.

The good news of Philemon is that we have a Friend in high places. What Paul was to Onesimus, Jesus is to us. He is the Friend who settles all claims against us and paves the way for us to come home.

Usually, the gospel story is told from the sinner’s perspective (e.g., the prodigal son, the tax collector at the temple). But this story is told from the perspective of the mediator. It’s about Paul (representing God the Son) interceding to Philemon the master (representing God the Father).

What Paul says about the slave—“forgive him, receive him, accept him”—is what Jesus says on our behalf.

The letter to Philemon brilliantly shows how the partnership between God the Father and God the Son is good news for you. It’s not about what you must do for God but what God has done for you. It’s about how you can have a confident expectation of the Father’s favor.

I have written a verse-by-verse commentary on Philemon that will be published in a few weeks as part of the Grace Bible series. But this story is too good to wait, so I have decided to release Philemon right now for free. You can get it here by signing up as a free member on Patreon. (Did I mention that it’s totally free?)

Grace and peace,
Paul

Filed Under: Uncategorized

The Most Underrated Book in the Bible

by

The book of Philemon may be the most underrated book in the Bible.

Like some of Shakespeare’s obscure plays, Philemon is a book people say they’ve read when they haven’t. Have you read it? Do you know what it’s about?

If you were to ask your pastor or a theologian about Philemon, they would say it’s the story of a runaway slave, Onesiumus, who met Paul, became a believer, and was sent home to his master Philemon. Okay, so what? Why is this letter in the Bible? It contains no statements of doctrine and seems to be little more than a letter between friends.

This short letter is nothing less than the gospel story. It is your story and my story because we are all – in a manner of speaking – runaway slaves who are deserving of death.

The good news of Philemon is that we have a Friend in high places. What Paul was to Onesimus, Jesus is to us. He is the Friend who settles all claims against us and paves the way for us to come home.

Usually, the gospel story is told from the sinner’s perspective (e.g., the prodigal son, the tax collector at the temple). But this story is told from the perspective of the mediator. It’s about Paul (representing God the Son) interceding to Philemon the master (representing God the Father).

What Paul says about the slave—“forgive him, receive him, accept him”—is what Jesus says on our behalf.

The letter to Philemon brilliantly shows how the partnership between God the Father and God the Son is good news for you. It’s not about what you must do for God but what God has done for you. It’s about how you can have a confident expectation of the Father’s favor.

I have written a verse-by-verse commentary on Philemon that will be published in a few weeks as part of the Grace Bible series. But this story is too good to wait, so I have decided to release Philemon right now for free. You can get it here by signing up as a free member on Patreon. (Did I mention that it’s totally free?)

Grace and peace,
Paul

Filed Under: Uncategorized

The Most Underrated Book in the Bible

by

The book of Philemon may be the most underrated book in the Bible.

Like some of Shakespeare’s obscure plays, Philemon is a book people say they’ve read when they haven’t. Have you read it? Do you know what it’s about?

If you were to ask your pastor or a theologian about Philemon, they would say it’s the story of a runaway slave, Onesiumus, who met Paul, became a believer, and was sent home to his master Philemon. Okay, so what? Why is this letter in the Bible? It contains no statements of doctrine and seems to be little more than a letter between friends.

This short letter is nothing less than the gospel story. It is your story and my story because we are all – in a manner of speaking – runaway slaves who are deserving of death.

The good news of Philemon is that we have a Friend in high places. What Paul was to Onesimus, Jesus is to us. He is the Friend who settles all claims against us and paves the way for us to come home.

Usually, the gospel story is told from the sinner’s perspective (e.g., the prodigal son, the tax collector at the temple). But this story is told from the perspective of the mediator. It’s about Paul (representing God the Son) interceding to Philemon the master (representing God the Father).

What Paul says about the slave—“forgive him, receive him, accept him”—is what Jesus says on our behalf.

The letter to Philemon brilliantly shows how the partnership between God the Father and God the Son is good news for you. It’s not about what you must do for God but what God has done for you. It’s about how you can have a confident expectation of the Father’s favor.

I have written a verse-by-verse commentary on Philemon that will be published in a few weeks as part of the Grace Bible series. But this story is too good to wait, so I have decided to release Philemon right now for free. You can get it here by signing up as a free member on Patreon. (Did I mention that it’s totally free?)

Grace and peace,
Paul

Filed Under: Uncategorized

The Most Underrated Book in the Bible

by

The book of Philemon may be the most underrated book in the Bible.

Like some of Shakespeare’s obscure plays, Philemon is a book people say they’ve read when they haven’t. Have you read it? Do you know what it’s about?

If you were to ask your pastor or a theologian about Philemon, they would say it’s the story of a runaway slave, Onesiumus, who met Paul, became a believer, and was sent home to his master Philemon. Okay, so what? Why is this letter in the Bible? It contains no statements of doctrine and seems to be little more than a letter between friends.

This short letter is nothing less than the gospel story. It is your story and my story because we are all – in a manner of speaking – runaway slaves who are deserving of death.

The good news of Philemon is that we have a Friend in high places. What Paul was to Onesimus, Jesus is to us. He is the Friend who settles all claims against us and paves the way for us to come home.

Usually, the gospel story is told from the sinner’s perspective (e.g., the prodigal son, the tax collector at the temple). But this story is told from the perspective of the mediator. It’s about Paul (representing God the Son) interceding to Philemon the master (representing God the Father).

What Paul says about the slave—“forgive him, receive him, accept him”—is what Jesus says on our behalf.

The letter to Philemon brilliantly shows how the partnership between God the Father and God the Son is good news for you. It’s not about what you must do for God but what God has done for you. It’s about how you can have a confident expectation of the Father’s favor.

I have written a verse-by-verse commentary on Philemon that will be published in a few weeks as part of the Grace Bible series. But this story is too good to wait, so I have decided to release Philemon right now for free. You can get it here by signing up as a free member on Patreon. (Did I mention that it’s totally free?)

Grace and peace,
Paul

Filed Under: Uncategorized

The Most Underrated Book in the Bible

by

The book of Philemon may be the most underrated book in the Bible.

Like some of Shakespeare’s obscure plays, Philemon is a book people say they’ve read when they haven’t. Have you read it? Do you know what it’s about?

If you were to ask your pastor or a theologian about Philemon, they would say it’s the story of a runaway slave, Onesiumus, who met Paul, became a believer, and was sent home to his master Philemon. Okay, so what? Why is this letter in the Bible? It contains no statements of doctrine and seems to be little more than a letter between friends.

This short letter is nothing less than the gospel story. It is your story and my story because we are all – in a manner of speaking – runaway slaves who are deserving of death.

The good news of Philemon is that we have a Friend in high places. What Paul was to Onesimus, Jesus is to us. He is the Friend who settles all claims against us and paves the way for us to come home.

Usually, the gospel story is told from the sinner’s perspective (e.g., the prodigal son, the tax collector at the temple). But this story is told from the perspective of the mediator. It’s about Paul (representing God the Son) interceding to Philemon the master (representing God the Father).

What Paul says about the slave—“forgive him, receive him, accept him”—is what Jesus says on our behalf.

The letter to Philemon brilliantly shows how the partnership between God the Father and God the Son is good news for you. It’s not about what you must do for God but what God has done for you. It’s about how you can have a confident expectation of the Father’s favor.

I have written a verse-by-verse commentary on Philemon that will be published in a few weeks as part of the Grace Bible series. But this story is too good to wait, so I have decided to release Philemon right now for free. You can get it here by signing up as a free member on Patreon. (Did I mention that it’s totally free?)

Grace and peace,
Paul

Filed Under: Uncategorized

The Most Underrated Book in the Bible

by

The book of Philemon may be the most underrated book in the Bible.

Like some of Shakespeare’s obscure plays, Philemon is a book people say they’ve read when they haven’t. Have you read it? Do you know what it’s about?

If you were to ask your pastor or a theologian about Philemon, they would say it’s the story of a runaway slave, Onesiumus, who met Paul, became a believer, and was sent home to his master Philemon. Okay, so what? Why is this letter in the Bible? It contains no statements of doctrine and seems to be little more than a letter between friends.

This short letter is nothing less than the gospel story. It is your story and my story because we are all – in a manner of speaking – runaway slaves who are deserving of death.

The good news of Philemon is that we have a Friend in high places. What Paul was to Onesimus, Jesus is to us. He is the Friend who settles all claims against us and paves the way for us to come home.

Usually, the gospel story is told from the sinner’s perspective (e.g., the prodigal son, the tax collector at the temple). But this story is told from the perspective of the mediator. It’s about Paul (representing God the Son) interceding to Philemon the master (representing God the Father).

What Paul says about the slave—“forgive him, receive him, accept him”—is what Jesus says on our behalf.

The letter to Philemon brilliantly shows how the partnership between God the Father and God the Son is good news for you. It’s not about what you must do for God but what God has done for you. It’s about how you can have a confident expectation of the Father’s favor.

I have written a verse-by-verse commentary on Philemon that will be published in a few weeks as part of the Grace Bible series. But this story is too good to wait, so I have decided to release Philemon right now for free. You can get it here by signing up as a free member on Patreon. (Did I mention that it’s totally free?)

Grace and peace,
Paul

Filed Under: Uncategorized

The Most Underrated Book in the Bible

by

The book of Philemon may be the most underrated book in the Bible.

Like some of Shakespeare’s obscure plays, Philemon is a book people say they’ve read when they haven’t. Have you read it? Do you know what it’s about?

If you were to ask your pastor or a theologian about Philemon, they would say it’s the story of a runaway slave, Onesiumus, who met Paul, became a believer, and was sent home to his master Philemon. Okay, so what? Why is this letter in the Bible? It contains no statements of doctrine and seems to be little more than a letter between friends.

This short letter is nothing less than the gospel story. It is your story and my story because we are all – in a manner of speaking – runaway slaves who are deserving of death.

The good news of Philemon is that we have a Friend in high places. What Paul was to Onesimus, Jesus is to us. He is the Friend who settles all claims against us and paves the way for us to come home.

Usually, the gospel story is told from the sinner’s perspective (e.g., the prodigal son, the tax collector at the temple). But this story is told from the perspective of the mediator. It’s about Paul (representing God the Son) interceding to Philemon the master (representing God the Father).

What Paul says about the slave—“forgive him, receive him, accept him”—is what Jesus says on our behalf.

The letter to Philemon brilliantly shows how the partnership between God the Father and God the Son is good news for you. It’s not about what you must do for God but what God has done for you. It’s about how you can have a confident expectation of the Father’s favor.

I have written a verse-by-verse commentary on Philemon that will be published in a few weeks as part of the Grace Bible series. But this story is too good to wait, so I have decided to release Philemon right now for free. You can get it here by signing up as a free member on Patreon. (Did I mention that it’s totally free?)

Grace and peace,
Paul

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Have I Shipwrecked My Faith?

by


Some people spend more time thinking about their faith than they do about Jesus. They worry they don’t have enough faith or they may lose it. Which is a pity. If they spent more time thinking about Jesus, they wouldn’t worry about their faith.

Others worry that their faith is too small and needs to grow. And some fear they have shipwrecked their faith.

What does it mean to shipwreck your faith? It means your faith has sunk beneath the waves and you are going nowhere. The picture of shipwrecked faith comes from this verse.

Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. (1 Timothy 1:18–19)

There are three actions in this passage, and if you do the first two – fighting and keeping – and don’t do the third – rejecting – you will never shipwreck your faith.

How do we fight the good fight?

We fight the good fight by refusing to give ground to anything that might distract us from Jesus. We refute those lies that say, “You are not good enough for God” or “You must work to make yourself acceptable and pleasing to the Lord.”

How do we keep the faith?

We keep the faith by keeping ourselves in the love of God (Jude 1:21). When we hear that we must do things to earn our Father’s love, we take those lies captive and make them bow to Jesus. We remind ourselves that if God loved me when I was a sinner (see Rom. 5:8), he surely loves me now.

Note there are two things we must keep: the faith and a good conscience. Fail to keep a good conscience and you will shipwreck your faith.

How do we keep a good conscience?

A good conscience has been washed by the blood of Christ. A good conscience is a guilt-less conscience. It’s a mindset that says, “Because of Jesus, I am free from sin and its effects.”

A good conscience that responds to the leading of the Holy Spirit is a wonderful thing. But a conscience riddled with guilt and condemnation can sink you.

The opposite of a good conscience is a condemning conscience, and that’s what you have when you fall from grace back under law. If you start thinking, “I must do X, Y, and Z before God will bless me,” your conscience will drive you towards the rocks of destruction.

Condemnation is a faith-killer. Condemnation will cause you to be timid before God making it hard for you to receive from the abundance of his grace.

If your conscience is constantly telling you that you’re unworthy, you’re a hopeless case, and you don’t deserve to be in the kingdom, you will be in danger of shipwrecking your faith.

How do we shipwreck our faith?

We shipwreck our faith by refusing to believe the good news of Jesus. We sink our faith by buying into a mixed-up message that says you must work to be saved, sanctified, or secure. This is what happened to two men in the Bible:

Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme. (1 Timothy 1:20)

Paul warned Timothy of certain men who taught strange or different doctrines (1 Tim. 1:3). Two of the worst offenders were Hymenaeus and Alexander.

Hymenaeus and Alexander were among those preaching Jewish myths or law (1 Tim. 1:7). Hymenaeus also taught that the resurrection of the saints had already taken place (2 Tim. 2:17–18). The influence of these false teachers was toxic, said Paul (2 Tim. 2:17). They had to go.

(Sidebar: When Paul says, “I have handed them over to Satan,” he’s saying, “Tell everyone that I said to remove them from the church.” Don’t give them a platform. Don’t endorse their mixed-up ministry. Since these men refuse to listen to the Spirit, he’s saying, “Let sin be their teacher.” Let them learn the hard way that sin has consequences, and maybe then they will see their need for a Savior.)

How do we unshipwreck our faith?

If you are stranded on the rocks of doubt and unbelief, fear not. If your conscience condemns you as a poor Christian, receive some good news.

You are a dearly loved child of God! You may have a guilty conscience, and you may have shipwrecked your faith, but rest assured that your heavenly Father will never kick you out of his family. Once saved, always saved.

If your thoughts are condemning you as flawed and imperfect, fight the good fight of faith! Bring those thoughts to Jesus and choose to believe what he says about you. You are loved, forgiven, accepted.

If your self-worth has been shattered, see the cross. See what Jesus did for you and fix your eyes on his glorious perfections. You are one with the Lord. You are clothed and hidden in Christ, and as he is, so are you in this world (1 John 4:17).

As you allow the Spirit of Christ to remind you of your true identity, you will find your faith rising off the rocks.

—

Got a question about a tricky scripture? Check out The Grace Commentary.

Looking for a grace church? Check out Locate Ministries.

To celebrate E2R’s 16th anniversary, next week I will be giving away a free book to email subscribers. Not a subscriber? Sign up now. It’s free and always will be:

Have I Shipwrecked My Faith?

by


Some people spend more time thinking about their faith than they do about Jesus. They worry they don’t have enough faith or they may lose it. Which is a pity. If they spent more time thinking about Jesus, they wouldn’t worry about their faith.

Others worry that their faith is too small and needs to grow. And some fear they have shipwrecked their faith.

What does it mean to shipwreck your faith? It means your faith has sunk beneath the waves and you are going nowhere. The picture of shipwrecked faith comes from this verse.

Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. (1 Timothy 1:18–19)

There are three actions in this passage, and if you do the first two – fighting and keeping – and don’t do the third – rejecting – you will never shipwreck your faith.

How do we fight the good fight?

We fight the good fight by refusing to give ground to anything that might distract us from Jesus. We refute those lies that say, “You are not good enough for God” or “You must work to make yourself acceptable and pleasing to the Lord.”

How do we keep the faith?

We keep the faith by keeping ourselves in the love of God (Jude 1:21). When we hear that we must do things to earn our Father’s love, we take those lies captive and make them bow to Jesus. We remind ourselves that if God loved me when I was a sinner (see Rom. 5:8), he surely loves me now.

Note there are two things we must keep: the faith and a good conscience. Fail to keep a good conscience and you will shipwreck your faith.

How do we keep a good conscience?

A good conscience has been washed by the blood of Christ. A good conscience is a guilt-less conscience. It’s a mindset that says, “Because of Jesus, I am free from sin and its effects.”

A good conscience that responds to the leading of the Holy Spirit is a wonderful thing. But a conscience riddled with guilt and condemnation can sink you.

The opposite of a good conscience is a condemning conscience, and that’s what you have when you fall from grace back under law. If you start thinking, “I must do X, Y, and Z before God will bless me,” your conscience will drive you towards the rocks of destruction.

Condemnation is a faith-killer. Condemnation will cause you to be timid before God making it hard for you to receive from the abundance of his grace.

If your conscience is constantly telling you that you’re unworthy, you’re a hopeless case, and you don’t deserve to be in the kingdom, you will be in danger of shipwrecking your faith.

How do we shipwreck our faith?

We shipwreck our faith by refusing to believe the good news of Jesus. We sink our faith by buying into a mixed-up message that says you must work to be saved, sanctified, or secure. This is what happened to two men in the Bible:

Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme. (1 Timothy 1:20)

Paul warned Timothy of certain men who taught strange or different doctrines (1 Tim. 1:3). Two of the worst offenders were Hymenaeus and Alexander.

Hymenaeus and Alexander were among those preaching Jewish myths or law (1 Tim. 1:7). Hymenaeus also taught that the resurrection of the saints had already taken place (2 Tim. 2:17–18). The influence of these false teachers was toxic, said Paul (2 Tim. 2:17). They had to go.

(Sidebar: When Paul says, “I have handed them over to Satan,” he’s saying, “Tell everyone that I said to remove them from the church.” Don’t give them a platform. Don’t endorse their mixed-up ministry. Since these men refuse to listen to the Spirit, he’s saying, “Let sin be their teacher.” Let them learn the hard way that sin has consequences, and maybe then they will see their need for a Savior.)

How do we unshipwreck our faith?

If you are stranded on the rocks of doubt and unbelief, fear not. If your conscience condemns you as a poor Christian, receive some good news.

You are a dearly loved child of God! You may have a guilty conscience, and you may have shipwrecked your faith, but rest assured that your heavenly Father will never kick you out of his family. Once saved, always saved.

If your thoughts are condemning you as flawed and imperfect, fight the good fight of faith! Bring those thoughts to Jesus and choose to believe what he says about you. You are loved, forgiven, accepted.

If your self-worth has been shattered, see the cross. See what Jesus did for you and fix your eyes on his glorious perfections. You are one with the Lord. You are clothed and hidden in Christ, and as he is, so are you in this world (1 John 4:17).

As you allow the Spirit of Christ to remind you of your true identity, you will find your faith rising off the rocks.

—

Got a question about a tricky scripture? Check out The Grace Commentary.

Looking for a grace church? Check out Locate Ministries.

To celebrate E2R’s 16th anniversary, next week I will be giving away a free book to email subscribers. Not a subscriber? Sign up now. It’s free and always will be:

Have I Shipwrecked My Faith?

by


Some people spend more time thinking about their faith than they do about Jesus. They worry they don’t have enough faith or they may lose it. Which is a pity. If they spent more time thinking about Jesus, they wouldn’t worry about their faith.

Others worry that their faith is too small and needs to grow. And some fear they have shipwrecked their faith.

What does it mean to shipwreck your faith? It means your faith has sunk beneath the waves and you are going nowhere. The picture of shipwrecked faith comes from this verse.

Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. (1 Timothy 1:18–19)

There are three actions in this passage, and if you do the first two – fighting and keeping – and don’t do the third – rejecting – you will never shipwreck your faith.

How do we fight the good fight?

We fight the good fight by refusing to give ground to anything that might distract us from Jesus. We refute those lies that say, “You are not good enough for God” or “You must work to make yourself acceptable and pleasing to the Lord.”

How do we keep the faith?

We keep the faith by keeping ourselves in the love of God (Jude 1:21). When we hear that we must do things to earn our Father’s love, we take those lies captive and make them bow to Jesus. We remind ourselves that if God loved me when I was a sinner (see Rom. 5:8), he surely loves me now.

Note there are two things we must keep: the faith and a good conscience. Fail to keep a good conscience and you will shipwreck your faith.

How do we keep a good conscience?

A good conscience has been washed by the blood of Christ. A good conscience is a guilt-less conscience. It’s a mindset that says, “Because of Jesus, I am free from sin and its effects.”

A good conscience that responds to the leading of the Holy Spirit is a wonderful thing. But a conscience riddled with guilt and condemnation can sink you.

The opposite of a good conscience is a condemning conscience, and that’s what you have when you fall from grace back under law. If you start thinking, “I must do X, Y, and Z before God will bless me,” your conscience will drive you towards the rocks of destruction.

Condemnation is a faith-killer. Condemnation will cause you to be timid before God making it hard for you to receive from the abundance of his grace.

If your conscience is constantly telling you that you’re unworthy, you’re a hopeless case, and you don’t deserve to be in the kingdom, you will be in danger of shipwrecking your faith.

How do we shipwreck our faith?

We shipwreck our faith by refusing to believe the good news of Jesus. We sink our faith by buying into a mixed-up message that says you must work to be saved, sanctified, or secure. This is what happened to two men in the Bible:

Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme. (1 Timothy 1:20)

Paul warned Timothy of certain men who taught strange or different doctrines (1 Tim. 1:3). Two of the worst offenders were Hymenaeus and Alexander.

Hymenaeus and Alexander were among those preaching Jewish myths or law (1 Tim. 1:7). Hymenaeus also taught that the resurrection of the saints had already taken place (2 Tim. 2:17–18). The influence of these false teachers was toxic, said Paul (2 Tim. 2:17). They had to go.

(Sidebar: When Paul says, “I have handed them over to Satan,” he’s saying, “Tell everyone that I said to remove them from the church.” Don’t give them a platform. Don’t endorse their mixed-up ministry. Since these men refuse to listen to the Spirit, he’s saying, “Let sin be their teacher.” Let them learn the hard way that sin has consequences, and maybe then they will see their need for a Savior.)

How do we unshipwreck our faith?

If you are stranded on the rocks of doubt and unbelief, fear not. If your conscience condemns you as a poor Christian, receive some good news.

You are a dearly loved child of God! You may have a guilty conscience, and you may have shipwrecked your faith, but rest assured that your heavenly Father will never kick you out of his family. Once saved, always saved.

If your thoughts are condemning you as flawed and imperfect, fight the good fight of faith! Bring those thoughts to Jesus and choose to believe what he says about you. You are loved, forgiven, accepted.

If your self-worth has been shattered, see the cross. See what Jesus did for you and fix your eyes on his glorious perfections. You are one with the Lord. You are clothed and hidden in Christ, and as he is, so are you in this world (1 John 4:17).

As you allow the Spirit of Christ to remind you of your true identity, you will find your faith rising off the rocks.

—

Got a question about a tricky scripture? Check out The Grace Commentary.

Looking for a grace church? Check out Locate Ministries.

To celebrate E2R’s 16th anniversary, next week I will be giving away a free book to email subscribers. Not a subscriber? Sign up now. It’s free and always will be:

Have I Shipwrecked My Faith?

by


Some people spend more time thinking about their faith than they do about Jesus. They worry they don’t have enough faith or they may lose it. Which is a pity. If they spent more time thinking about Jesus, they wouldn’t worry about their faith.

Others worry that their faith is too small and needs to grow. And some fear they have shipwrecked their faith.

What does it mean to shipwreck your faith? It means your faith has sunk beneath the waves and you are going nowhere. The picture of shipwrecked faith comes from this verse.

Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. (1 Timothy 1:18–19)

There are three actions in this passage, and if you do the first two – fighting and keeping – and don’t do the third – rejecting – you will never shipwreck your faith.

How do we fight the good fight?

We fight the good fight by refusing to give ground to anything that might distract us from Jesus. We refute those lies that say, “You are not good enough for God” or “You must work to make yourself acceptable and pleasing to the Lord.”

How do we keep the faith?

We keep the faith by keeping ourselves in the love of God (Jude 1:21). When we hear that we must do things to earn our Father’s love, we take those lies captive and make them bow to Jesus. We remind ourselves that if God loved me when I was a sinner (see Rom. 5:8), he surely loves me now.

Note there are two things we must keep: the faith and a good conscience. Fail to keep a good conscience and you will shipwreck your faith.

How do we keep a good conscience?

A good conscience has been washed by the blood of Christ. A good conscience is a guilt-less conscience. It’s a mindset that says, “Because of Jesus, I am free from sin and its effects.”

A good conscience that responds to the leading of the Holy Spirit is a wonderful thing. But a conscience riddled with guilt and condemnation can sink you.

The opposite of a good conscience is a condemning conscience, and that’s what you have when you fall from grace back under law. If you start thinking, “I must do X, Y, and Z before God will bless me,” your conscience will drive you towards the rocks of destruction.

Condemnation is a faith-killer. Condemnation will cause you to be timid before God making it hard for you to receive from the abundance of his grace.

If your conscience is constantly telling you that you’re unworthy, you’re a hopeless case, and you don’t deserve to be in the kingdom, you will be in danger of shipwrecking your faith.

How do we shipwreck our faith?

We shipwreck our faith by refusing to believe the good news of Jesus. We sink our faith by buying into a mixed-up message that says you must work to be saved, sanctified, or secure. This is what happened to two men in the Bible:

Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme. (1 Timothy 1:20)

Paul warned Timothy of certain men who taught strange or different doctrines (1 Tim. 1:3). Two of the worst offenders were Hymenaeus and Alexander.

Hymenaeus and Alexander were among those preaching Jewish myths or law (1 Tim. 1:7). Hymenaeus also taught that the resurrection of the saints had already taken place (2 Tim. 2:17–18). The influence of these false teachers was toxic, said Paul (2 Tim. 2:17). They had to go.

(Sidebar: When Paul says, “I have handed them over to Satan,” he’s saying, “Tell everyone that I said to remove them from the church.” Don’t give them a platform. Don’t endorse their mixed-up ministry. Since these men refuse to listen to the Spirit, he’s saying, “Let sin be their teacher.” Let them learn the hard way that sin has consequences, and maybe then they will see their need for a Savior.)

How do we unshipwreck our faith?

If you are stranded on the rocks of doubt and unbelief, fear not. If your conscience condemns you as a poor Christian, receive some good news.

You are a dearly loved child of God! You may have a guilty conscience, and you may have shipwrecked your faith, but rest assured that your heavenly Father will never kick you out of his family. Once saved, always saved.

If your thoughts are condemning you as flawed and imperfect, fight the good fight of faith! Bring those thoughts to Jesus and choose to believe what he says about you. You are loved, forgiven, accepted.

If your self-worth has been shattered, see the cross. See what Jesus did for you and fix your eyes on his glorious perfections. You are one with the Lord. You are clothed and hidden in Christ, and as he is, so are you in this world (1 John 4:17).

As you allow the Spirit of Christ to remind you of your true identity, you will find your faith rising off the rocks.

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