. . . I gave you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. – 1 Timothy 1:18-19
Jesus Christ calls his followers to be in the world but not of the world. What does this mean? One famous preacher explained it using an analogy of a ship in the ocean.
What’s a ship designed to do? Sail upon the ocean. That’s its element. That’s precisely where it thrives. The same should be true for Christians in the world. God equips and empowers us to love our neighbors, care for our home and our possessions, and develop culture. We’re to be the world’s salt and light!
Now let’s return to the ship analogy for a moment. What happens if the ocean gets into the ship? Disaster. Destruction. The ship sinks. The same is true for Christians with regard to the world. If the world’s values and allegiances penetrate you, you’ll become hopelessly confused, contradicted, and compromised.
Set sail, but keep your ship in shape by staying close to God. Read His word. Become a disciple. Spend time with others who believe. You need to be in the world . . . not of it.
– Steve Arterburn
I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship. – Louisa May Alcott
