Faith That Doesn't Sink
I’ve been thinking about this verse from 1 Timothy 1:19: "Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck."
Paul is writing to Timothy, warning him about what happens when people walk away from both faith and a good conscience. Since I work visually, the image — shipwreck — caused me to stop and think. Shipwreck isn’t just stumbling or drifting. It’s a complete disaster. Something avoidable yet devastating when it happens.
Faith and a Good Conscience Go Together
Faith isn’t just doctrine or mental agreement. It’s more than knowing the right verses or affirming theological truths. Faith is a deep, personal trust in God — a confidence in His character, His promises, and His work through Christ. It’s what anchors us when life gets rough. It’s what keeps us from being tossed around by every new idea or emotion. Faith says, “I believe God is who He says He is, and I will live like that’s true.”
But faith doesn’t stand alone.