Have you ever met anyone who has shipwrecked their faith?
You've likely heard of the "exvangelical" movement. These people grew up in evangelical churches but have since "de-identified" from evangelicalism. They've walked away from their faith.
According to a Religion in Public blog, between four and five percent of the American population can be classified as exvangelical. Personally, I’m weary of reading their stories. What’s behind this trend?
Actually, it’s nothing new. Paul saw it coming in his day, which is why he wrote in 1 Timothy 1:18,19, “This command I entrust to you, 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.”
For many, the greatest danger in shipwrecking our faith is the presumption that it’s inconceivable. “Not me,” we insist.
But a shipwreck is possible for every one of us! Not just possible, it's probable! Consider: if you are floating in a boat, you are surrounded by that which could kill you! The same is true spiritually.
- The world wants to shipwreck your faith.
- The flesh wants to shipwreck your faith.
- The devil wants to shipwreck your faith.
With all that opposition, how do we avoid a personal spiritual shipwreck? Paul offers three keys in his instructions to Timothy—and us.
Key #1: Prepare to fight (verse 18). We're not called to "love the good rest" but to "fight the good fight." Avoiding shipwreck is a struggle for which we must prepare.
Key #2: “Keep the faith” (verse 19). When circumstances turn hard and answers are few, we don’t chuck our faith. We keep it. We keep holding on to Christ.
Key #3: "Keep a good conscience" (verse 19). We don't violate what we know to be true about Christ and His Word. We stay with the stuff.
Consider: No one ever drifts toward the Lord. We drift away from Him. Shipwreck is not merely possible. It’s probable!
If only there were a warning sign. Or maybe, this is it!
