A CASTAWAY
INTRODUCTION
A castaway is one who has rejected the inner moral conscience; having strayed from the truths of God's Word, and allowed other influences to intervene, diverting one's moral compass towards acceptance of the previously unacceptable.
The Prophet Jeremiah cried out: Thus saith the Lord, Stand you in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they (the people) said, We will not hearken (Jeremiah 6:16-17).
God's response: Hear, O earth; behold, I will bring evil (calamity) upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts because they have not hearkened to my words, nor to my law, but rejected it (Jeremiah 6:19). It was noted that the people's stubborn refusal to walk in the ways of true righteousness is often mentioned by Jeremiah. Moving in their own paths and following their own way would only lead to Judah's destruction.
A Castaway
Secular Society
Many have become a castaway toward traditional Biblical values, rather than being a continued influence, with the growing trend of acceptance of a secular society. The influx of worldliness has enticed many away from previous held convictions.
There is growing acceptance of worldly standards that are attempting to outweigh godly values established in God's Word. The persuasive methods of the serpent, in the Garden of Eden utilized by Satan as a tool, is very much in evidence today!
Scripture reveals: When the woman (Eve) saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant (a desired thing) to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof (forbidden by God), and did eat, and gave also to her husband with her (Adam); and he did eat (Genesis 3:6).
Perilous Times
Apostle Paul wrote: This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come (2 Timothy 3:1). It was noted that the last days began with the birth of Christ and will be finalized with His return to earth to set up His kingdom. The prediction of perilous times indicates that apostasy will characterize the final days of the church age.
Scripture reveals the characteristics of the last days (which we are in): Men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous (money lovers), boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. Without natural affection, trucebreakers (irreconcilable), false accusers (slanderers), incontinent (without self-control), fierce (brutal), despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady (reckless), high-minded (haughty), lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God (2 Timothy 3:2-4).
All of these characteristics could cause one to become a castaway; rather than a follower of God! Paul revealed that such have a form of godliness; but deny the power thereof: from such turn away (2 Timothy 3:5). A form of godliness is mere religion without power or spiritual life. The church, in many cases, has ventured into a powerless church category through forsaking a walk with God that would prevent such a withdrawal.
Suffered Shipwreck
The Apostle Paul instructed Timothy, a young evangelist: To hold faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away (rejected) concerning the faith, have made (suffered) shipwreck (1 Timothy 1:19). It was noted that by rejecting the inner moral voice of conscience they strayed from the truths of God's Word!
Apostle Paul continued his instruction: Preach the word, be instant (ready) in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned into fables (that which is fictitious) (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
We are seeing a growing indifference to the Word of God due it its no longer being promulgated as it once was, under the power and demonstration of God's Spirit!
Fulfillment of Prophecy
Sometime prior to his death, General Booth of the Salvation army, uttered this significant prophecy: I consider that the chief dangers that confront the coming century will be Religion without the Holy Ghost; Christianity without Christ; Forgiveness without regeneration; Morality without God; and Heaven without Hell.
We are seeing the fulfillment of this prophecy with devilment being unleashed as in the case of Pandora's Box. In Greek mythology a story is told of a box sent by the gods to Pandora, which she was forbidden to open. She opened the box out of curiosity that loosened a swarm of evils upon mankind: a prolific source of troubles.
Forgiven Sin
Apostle John wrote: If any man sin, we have an advocate (intercessor) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And he is the propitiation (atonement) for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:1-2). It was noted that although the Christian has an Advocate with the Father (Jesus Christ), his goal in life should be to overcome sin, rather than merely confessing it.
Thank God, for the one who is not a castaway, or shipwrecked, but on a spiritual course towards a heavenly gain through Jesus being Lord and Savior! May God equips us, through His anointed Word, His Son (the Lord Jesus Christ), and His Spirit, to see us through all the trials of life, towards a Heavenly gain!
Salvation of Man
God's Word ensures salvation to the believer in Christ; who walks uprightly in accordance with God's Word. Such will never be a castaway, or shipwrecked in faith; unless one allows the influence of this world, and sin, to reign in their life, without repentance.
Apostle John wrote: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). It was noted that we should not deny our sins but rather to confess them before God. This opens the door for His forgiving and cleansing light to purify our hearts!
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