ANCHORED BY HOPE, IMPELLED BY LOVE

Why Some Suffer Shipwreck

When Paul warned of experiencing "shipwreck," he had in mind some who had "thrust aside" their good conscience and had  lost their faith. (1 Timothy 1:19)  Among them were Hymenaeus and Alexander who fell into apostasy, deviating from the truth and speaking abusively.  (1 Timothy 1:20 2 Timothy 2:17, 18)  Today, apostates, who deviate from the truth, verbally beat "the faithful and discreet slave,"  in effect biting the hand that has been feeding them spiritually.  Some resemble the "evil slave,"  implicitly saying "My master is delaying."  (Matthew 24:44-49; 2 Timothy 4:14, 15)  They deny that the end of this wicked system of things is near and criticize the spiritually alert slave class for maintaining a sense of urgency among Jehovah's people.  (Isaiah 1:3) Such apostates succeed in "subverting the faith of some," inducing spiritual shipwreck. - 2 Timothy 2:18.

Other dedicated Christians have wrecked the ship of their faith by thrusting aside their conscience and indulging in this world's unbridled pleasure-seeking and its sexual immorality.  (2 Peter 2:20-22) Still others scuttle their ship of faith because in their view the haven of the new system of things does not yet seem to be appearing on the horizon.  Unable to make time calculations concerning this fulfillment of certain prophecies, and putting "Jehovah's day off in their minds, they abandon the true worship.  ( 2 Peter 3:10-13; 1 Peter 1:9)  They soon find themselves back in the murky, troubled waters of the present system of things.  (Isaiah 17:12, 13; 57:20)   Some who have stopped associating with the Christian congregation still believe that it practices the true religion.  However, they evidently lack the patience and endurance required to wait for the  new world that Jehovah God has promised.  Life in Paradise has not come soon enough for them.

A few dedicated Christians in some parts of  the world appear  to have reefed the sails of their ship of faith.  The ship is still afloat, but instead of forging ahead in full faith, they have adopted a cruising speed.  Drawn by the hope  of "Paradise soon,"  some were prepared to spare no efforts to attain it-zealous in the preaching work and regular in attendance at all meetings, assemblies and conventions.  Now thinking that the realization of their hopes is farther off than they anticipated, they  have lowered the price they are willing to pay.  this is evident in reduced preaching activity, irregularity at  meetings, and willingness to miss parts of the assembly or convention programs.  Others are devoting more time to recreation  and to obtaining material comforts.  These facts lead us to consider what should be the driving force in our lives in line with our dedication to Jehovah.  Should our zeal in his service be dependent on the hope of "Paradise soon"?

Next time: Hope Compared to an Anchor

Watchtower,  2000