Shipwrecks and lighthouses

Shipwrecks and Lighthouses

Have you ever heard a sermon on Hymenaeus? Perhaps you don’t even recall having heard of such a person at all. He only occurs in the Bible in the letters to Timothy (1 Timothy 1:20; 2 Timothy 2:17). What do we know of him?

He was someone who once appeared to have faith in Jesus Christ because he is described as having made shipwreck of it. He had also swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection had already taken place, so at one time his beliefs were orthodox. It seems he had taken to speaking irreverent babble, which was nevertheless very damaging, spreading like gangrene. So was he a real Christian, or not? Was he eternally lost, or eventually restored? We simply do not know; but what Paul had to say about him and others like him is a great help to us.

Moreover, we can look at Hymenaeus objectively; none of us knew him. But we may know some who have acted in similar ways to him and that makes a big difference. They may be Christian friends or close relatives, perhaps even a pastor. That hurts us, it troubles us; it may even shake our own faith. So think of Hymenaeus first, and then we can apply what Paul says to our own situations later.

Don’t be surprised

In 2 Timothy 2:20 Paul reminds us that in a large house there will be a variety of vessels; cut glass in display cabinets and old jam jars out in the garden shed. Some that started off decorative and useful get broken and unsightly, and are not suitable for anything very much. And the church is a large house; we must not be surprised if we find sad and disappointing falls and backslidings. Not that we must ever take them for granted, or cease being deeply concerned for those of whom these things are true.

Don’t be stumbled

We must never think, however, that such events take God by surprise or deny the truths of election and final perseverance. Verse 19 reminds us that God’s firm foundation stands in spite of human weakness or rebelliousness. The two quotations in this verse both appear to come from Numbers 16 where the context is the rebellion of Korah and those with him. The Lord knows those that are his is firstly a statement of election. This is the firm foundation; God knows and has chosen those who are his own, and he will keep them. But this also reminds us that the Lord knows what we do not know. He knows who are really his; he knows who will be restored, he knows the pressures and temptations some may have been under, he knows the wilfully rebellious – but our knowledge is partial at best. In the end it his knowledge that matters, not ours.

There is a practical matter, however; the way to show that we belong to the Lord is by departing from iniquity. That must include avoiding harsh and condemnatory attitudes – becoming beacons of holiness and truth.

Don’t be quarrelsome

How are we to help those who begin to question basic truths of the faith? Some people can be full of questions that are trivial and unnecessary. Paul says: Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies. They lead to endless quarrels and take people’s minds off the things that are really important. Some are quarrelsome, but the Lord’s servants mustn’t be. However, there are events that can shake faith; there are questions which deeply trouble some; there are heresies which can seem well-founded and attractive. So we are to be kind and patient, especially if we have spiritual responsibility in the church. Very often our attitude is as important as our reasoning, if not more so. Where we can give answers we must be prepared to; taking time and trouble, if necessary, to find them. We must especially be prayerful, for it is God who grants repentance and delivers from the snare of the devil.

Apply discipline

Paul says he has handed Hymenaeus over to Satan that he may learn not to blaspheme. This means he had been put out of the fellowship of the church and back into the world which is under the power and authority of the Evil One. This should never be the first action, and great patience may need to be shown towards those who may have difficulties, but still attend the worship and do nothing to shake the faith of others. But where there is serious moral lapse (1 Corinthians 5:1-5) or the definite embracing of clear heresy, and no sign of repentance or willingness to be helped, it becomes the proper response.

The purpose of this is not retribution, but reformation, that they may learn not to blaspheme. Unfortunately such exclusion means very little nowadays; there’s always another church to go to not far away. This action is not a punishment, nor is it just for the health of the church or its reputation, though these are not unimportant. It is intended to bring home to the person the real seriousness of his or her condition. As they are, they are not fit for the people of God; they appear to belong to the realm of the devil. Let them consider where they really belong – and turn back to the Lord if they are his.

You and your ‘Hymenaeus’

None of this is easy or painless. Many Christians have been sorely troubled and affected by the falls of relatives and friends. Some see friends wandering off into godless lifestyles, not only making shipwreck of faith but also of marriage, even ending up publicly blaspheming the One they once professed to love. The Lord Jesus knows and understands how we feel; one of those closest to him betrayed him – even with a kiss!

There are no easy answers, but if early warning signs are seen that is the best time to intervene, though this will take great wisdom. Healthy Christian fellowship with others, which means that talking together about spiritual things is usual, creates the best atmosphere in which spiritual advice can be given and received. Sometimes direct speaking only makes the situation worse; but the person concerned needs to know that we are ready to speak when they are willing to listen.

When some tragic fall takes place we need to avoid bitterness and recriminations, but we cannot act as if nothing has happened nor can relationships be just the same as they always were. If we feel we may be blameworthy ourselves for what has happened – and Satan loves to get parents, friends or pastors to feel like that – then we must seek forgiveness, accept it, learn any lesson we need to, but in the name of the Lord refuse to allow pardoned guilt to cripple us in the future. We see some wonderfully restored; others may be, of whom we hear nothing. Our attitude must be one of trust in God and persevering love: Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

If there is a danger of shipwreck, we need those who will be lighthouses.