Our Anchor Is Jesus Christ
by Dr. John Barnett

One of the most feared activities of the ancient world was sailing in a ship across the Mediterranean Sea. Why? Because shipwrecks were so common back then. Many who sailed never returned. The families of would be travelers and sailors most often went with them to the docks and offered farewell sacrifices to the gods; hoping that if pacified safety would be theirs. The numerous National Geographic documentaries on all the wrecks dotting the Mediterranean sea floor, are a mute testimony to the true danger of shipwrecks to the ancients.

Think of the implications of being in a doomed boat. Shipwreck--when what you counted on to get you safely to the other shore--fails you! To "ship wreck" meant that the ship you trusted to take you across the dangerous waters had failed you and you were not going to make it. If you lose your ship in the midst of the sea there is usually no hope, no place to go - and certain death.

Paul uses the word nauageo 'ship wreck' when he describes his own experiences with three failed boats in his travels.

• 2 Corinthians 11:25 "Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;"

Amazingly, Paul uses the same word to describe those who thrust away sound doctrine and try to sail on their own and without Christ's way, truth and life.

• 1 Timothy 1:19-20 "Having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck , 20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme."

The most dangerous shipwreck is not the one that merely endangers your body. Jesus warns that false teaching can sink your soul as well - and Paul names some headed towards destruction.

What can cause a soul to be shipwrecked? False teachers and belief in a false Christ. That was one of Christ's constant warnings. When Christ returns there is--global false teaching, and deceptive signs and wonders.

• Matthew 24:24 "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect."

God's way is:

• Godly seeking, restrained from within by the Holy Spirit, enlightened by God in our mind and spirit, righteous by God's grace, ashamed of sinning, forgiven of all sins, repentant of all known sins in the life, satisfied continually by Christ, disciplined by the work of God's grace, heeding God's Word , real and not fake, saved and sure of it!

How can we avoid shipwreck? By being tied to Jesus Christ our Lord. Jesus Anchors our souls in Heaven.

• Hebrews 6:11-12, 18-20 - "And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." NKJV

Christ is our Refuge: v. 18b - "we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us." Salvation is laying hold of Jesus. Christ anchors our soul in Heaven. v. 19 - "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil." We have continual access to God's presence, not just once a year through a fallen mortal man, but always - at every moment - through our Divine and Immortal Great High Priest, Jesus Christ.

Jesus is our prodromos who has gone to prepare a place for us. Philip Mauro suggests that the picture here is that of the forerunner used in ancient times to help a vessel enter the harbor safely. He would jump from the ship, wade to the harbor, and fasten the strong rope of the ship to a rock along the shore. Then, by means of a winch, the vessel was brought in.

Just so, our forerunner has gone to heaven, where He stands ready to guide us safely into the Holy of Holies. We are fastened to a rock that cannot be moved. Let the storms tear our sails to shreds; let the floors creak; let the gusts of wind attempt to blow us off course; let the tides overwhelm us; we shall arrive safely into the port. Each day we are pulled a notch closer to the harbor by the One who proved He is more powerful than death.

"We have an anchor that keeps the soul Steadfast and sure while the billows roll, Fastened to the Rock which cannot move, Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love."

As our High Priest, Jesus serves as our anchor, who forever keeps our souls from drifting away from God - and becoming shipwrecked.

Saturday, November 15, 2008