For your salvation

[Acts 27:27-44]

Those who have come across the news this week are aware that major American companies, including Lehman Brothers, Delta Air Lines, Texaco, WorldCom, and about 15 others, have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Additionally, there were speculations about the possible bankruptcy of AIG (American International Group), the largest insurance company in the U.S. with 66,000 employees, but eventually, the U.S. government stepped in to provide financial assistance. Despite this, anxiety about the financial crisis has spread, leading investment banks to explore survival strategies, such as mergers with other financial institutions. Reading a column by Cheol Lee in the Korea Ilbo regarding this situation, he comments, ‘Investment banks misused investments to the point of bankruptcy’ (Internet). He points out that the root cause of the problem lies in investment banks directly acquiring funds without fear, even delving into real estate investments, which eventually led to the subprime mortgage crisis. Cheol Lee states, ‘Where there is high profit, there is always high risk.’ He mentions that although executives were aware of this, the temptation was too great due to the substantial incoming profits, leading to an inability to resist temptation. In his words, ‘Capitalism is driven by individual pursuit of interest. However, if the pursuit of profit becomes too excessive, risk management systems do not function’ (Internet). This statement struck a chord with me, as it makes sense that excessive greed blinds individuals to the point where risk management systems, critical for high-risk, high-profit situations, fail to function properly. As a result, with greed causing blindness, the risk management system, which should operate effectively, fails to do so, leading to the increasing number of bankruptcy filings. Consequently, U.S. financial institutions are doing whatever it takes to survive, including seeking survival strategies through mergers.

How about you? Are you, perhaps like U.S. financial institutions, exploring survival strategies to endure these tough economic times? Amidst such thoughts, I came across an article titled ‘8 Keywords for Sustainable Business Survival.’ This article summarizes the core keywords for how companies can consistently earn customer love and generate continuous profits after 5, 10, and even 100 years. I'll share with you about four of these key concepts (Internet):

‘Digging a Single Well Management’:

To become a strong small business, it is essential to have outstanding technical expertise in the industry, and to accumulate such expertise, one must continuously dig a single well.

‘Focused Management’:

Companies facing crises choose areas where they can maximize profits and implement focused management. The term "area" here refers not to following trends but concentrating efforts on what the company can do best, what others are not doing.

‘Trust Management’:

Futurist John Naisbitt reportedly said about the Korean economy, ‘For the Korean economy to achieve qualitative growth, it needs to go beyond just a trademark that informs consumers and create a trust mark that instills trust and emotion in consumers.’

‘Essence Management’:

One reason for the prolonged economic downturn is seen as conflicts, confusion, and the resulting increase in social costs due to the absence of principles. Therefore, to overcome an economic recession, one must faithfully adhere to the basics, which are the roots of all economies.

In Acts 27:34, the Bible states, "This is for your salvation." This statement, given during a severe storm (v. 20) that put the ship in a crisis of shipwreck, is Paul teaching survival principles to the 275 people who, despite their best efforts, could not see the hope of salvation. Today, as I contemplate Paul's survival principles, I hope to apply these three principles to our individual lives. Thus, I pray that God grants both you and me abundant life on this earth for the purpose He has given us.

First, to survive, one must eat.

The first survival method is to take good care of your health. In Acts 27:33-34, when Paul was on the ship with the 275 people, he twice urged them to eat. What is the reason for this? He said, "This is for your salvation" (v. 34). In other words, Paul advised them to eat because it was necessary for their survival after the shipwreck. Paul's recommendation to eat was likely prompted by the fact that after facing a severe storm, the 275 people lost hope of salvation and, subsequently, stopped eating (vv. 20-21). Considering the mention in verse 27 of "the fourteenth night," it appears that they had not eaten since the beginning of the storm (Yoo). In the end, with no hope of survival in sight, they refrained from eating for 14 days, despite having food on board (v. 33). It's worth noting that although the ship was at risk due to the storm, they did not throw their food into the sea. This is evident in verse 36, where it is mentioned that Paul and the remaining 275 people ate bread.

From what I've heard, during the Sunday afternoon Bible study in the first senior adults' fellowship, discussions about health are often brought up. The fact that the elders engage in conversations about health might be because, among them, there are likely more people who are older and dealing with various health issues than in the second senior adults' fellowship. Due to their firsthand experience, they may have a heightened interest in health management. Indeed, those who feel health issues more keenly may be more attentive to health care. I believe that to excel in health management, one must possess the mindset that our bodies are not our own but are a gift from God. I hold this view because many Christians, despite receiving teachings to manage the material possessions given by God responsibly for His glory, seem to lack this stewardship mindset when it comes to their bodies. As a result, without proper care and due to a lack of this stewardship mentality regarding the bodies God has given us, we often end up suffering from various illnesses. Of course, the saying "birth, aging, illness, and death" implies that as we are born and age, our bodies naturally weaken and become susceptible to diseases. However, even as we age, adopting the stewardship mindset and making a conscious effort to manage our bodies well for God's glory is our responsibility. We must acknowledge that our bodies are not ours; they are given to us by God. Therefore, we need to manage them well, giving glory to God and making good use of what He has provided. This involves taking good care of our bodies by eating well, exercising, and getting enough rest. I call this the ‘Three Pillars of Health Management.’ To manage our health well, these three basic elements—eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep—are essential. Are you, in your stewardship mindset, effectively handling these three responsibilities? We must not abuse our bodies. We need to avoid activities that harm our bodies, such as excessive strain, irregular routines, and overuse. However, we should not forget one crucial aspect. Even as we fulfill our responsibility for health management, we need to pray to God. No matter how well we manage our health, it is essential to continually pray to God for good health. This is the first key to survival emphasized in today's passage.

Second, to survive, one must have a peaceful mind.

The second method for survival is to manage the health of one's mind well. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain peace of mind. In today's passage, verse 36 describes people who had not eaten for about 14 days. When Paul brought bread, thanked God, and broke it to eat, everyone felt relieved, and they began to eat with assurance (v. 35). Considering the intense fear of death during this period, it is likely that even the hope of surviving for 14 days without food did not exist. In our lives, there are times when severe stress makes us lose the desire to eat. In such cases, even if food is placed in front of us, we may lose our appetite and choose not to eat. Ultimately, this situation indicates the need to alleviate stress and find tranquility in the mind to regain one's appetite. Stress, worries, anxiety, and fear can all contribute to loss of appetite. Especially when faced with a life-or-death situation, as the people in today's passage were, one might lose their appetite and be tempted to give up. In such circumstances, what can we do? How can we overcome all of this and find peace in our hearts? How did Paul, facing a life-or-death situation himself, have the peace of mind to encourage and reassure the remaining 275 people, who were without hope and had lost their appetite? The key was Paul's reliance on the words God had spoken to him, and he believed that those words would come true (vv. 23-25). Such faith provides us with the hope of salvation and gives us confidence, boldness, and courage. Therefore, even in challenging situations, we can comfort and encourage others to be at ease.

How is your heart right now? Do you have the incomprehensible peace of God in your hearts? Can you confess, as the lyrics of the hymn “When Peace, Like a River, Attendeth My Way”, verse 1 say, “When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul"? Is your heart truly at peace? Even in the midst of life's raging storms, do you want to experience a deep and serene peace in your heart? Let us all incline our ears to the calm yet powerful voice of God amidst the raging storm. To do so, especially in the busyness of life, let's earnestly approach God in prayer. Let's pray, holding firmly to the words in Philippians 4:6-7 with faith: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Third and last, to survive, one must live a life of obedience.

As we have already contemplated, the centurion Julius, who was escorting Paul and other prisoners to Italy, initially did not heed Paul's advice but rather listened to the captain and the shipowner. Consequently, he eventually steered everyone into a perilous situation, seemingly devoid of hope for salvation. However, in today's passage, we see a change in the behavior of Centurion Julius, who now listens carefully to Paul's words. For instance, in verse 31, when Paul, suspecting that they were approaching land, observed the sailors attempting to escape in the ship's boat due to fear of running aground, he told the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved" (v. 31). Hearing Paul's words, the soldiers trusted him, preventing the sailors from escaping by cutting the ropes to the small boat (v. 32) (Yoo). This must have been a challenging decision for the soldiers because cutting the ropes meant they, too, couldn't escape to the land using the small boat. In other words, the act of cutting the ropes connected to the small boat was a demonstration of a collective attitude: a commitment to either live together or die together. Those sailors, who had intended to escape for their lives, likely faced a difficult choice. By cutting the ropes connected to the small boat and allowing the sailors to remain on the ship, the soldiers displayed a spirit of unity and solidarity, choosing to either live or die together. Certainly, the soldiers believed Paul's assurance that he would survive, leading them to act in obedience (Yoo). Take note, observe how Centurion Julius, who was initially disobedient, now demonstrates obedience to Paul's words when the ship is in peril due to a great storm. Through the hardships and crises of life, Centurion Julius, who was initially disobedient, transforms into one who obeys. Later, he goes to great lengths to save Paul (to bring salvation), preventing the soldiers from killing the prisoners (v. 43). Ultimately, Centurion Julius rescues Paul from the danger of death (salvation) and even allows those who can swim to make their way to land, while others use planks or pieces of the ship to reach the shore (v. 44). As a result, all 276 people on board land safely, obtaining salvation (v. 44). God, in His promise to the Apostle Paul, not only spared Paul's life but also saved everyone on the ship, including Centurion Julius, the soldiers, the captain and shipowner, Aristarchus, and all the prisoners (vv. 24, 44).

There is a faithful promise from God that He is revealing to you and me today. It is found in Acts 16:31: "... Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." Truly, believing in Jesus is the path for you and me to live. The key to our survival is solely in accepting Jesus as our Savior. By believing in Jesus, we receive salvation, and God grants us eternal life. I hope and pray that you, your family, and all your loved ones may also, through faith in Jesus, live forever in heaven.

Wishing to live a life God has given to the fullest on this earth,

James Kim

(Pursuing health, peace of mind, and a life of obedience in the physical and spiritual realms)