“In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. 31 Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away.” In Vs 22-26 Paul shared with his shipmates the message the Lord had sent to him. Obviously there were sailors who, though all that Paul had said had come true thus far, they didn’t believe in the God Paul told of and they certainly weren’t going to risk their lives on what Paul had said. They were going to literally abandon ship. This should not surprise us, the people did not believe Noah and so they perished. (Genesis 6-7) Paul told the centurion that unless these men stay with the ship than he could not be saved. Well, the centurion believed Paul and quickly took action so that the men could not leave.
What was meant that if the men left then the centurion would not be saved? Did it mean that God would pull back his protection from those on board and all would perish? Well, we know that at least Paul would not die. And likely, neither would Luke and the others who were accompanying Paul. So would God pull His protection from everyone but them? Would He do that even if all the others were believing what Paul had told them about the message from the Lord? Is that how we know God to be? After all God gave the people of Noah’s time an opportunity to believe and be saved, only the unbelieving would die. Also, the people of Sodom could have repented. They could have heeded Lot’s words. But they did not, only those who believed and obeyed God’s message were saved. So the fact that some on board, and certainly the centurion, were heeding God’s message means that, as we understand how God dealt with the people in Noah’s time and the people of Sodom, they were warned and if they listened and obeyed, they were saved. The same as with Rahab (Joshua 2:17-21, 6:22-25). So it seems very unlikely that the Lord would have pulled his protection from those who seemed to be heeding His words.
Perhaps the reason the centurion would not have lived would be because of an uprising from his men and any sailors left on board. Had those attempting to leave the ship succeeded, how would the rest of the men felt? As these men would have sailed off the men on board would surely have begun to feel “left behind.” They would begin to wonder if this centurion, who is not a sailor, was making wise decisions. Why was he giving regard to what Paul was saying? Had he converted? Why was he forsaking their gods? Was the centurion losing his mind? Family, those who spread even a little dissent poison the minds of all. Galatians 5:9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” Fear is nefarious and spreads fast. A cunningly placed lie is a gas that spreads and kills. The Lord is against those who cause division and warns us against allowing them being, or staying, amongst us. (Romans 16:17, Titus 3:10) We know how serious the Lord views those who cause division. In the times of Moses he dealt with it quickly when Miriam and Aaron were being divisive. (Genesis 12:1-15) God is against divisive people until, and if, they repent. Divisive people are dangerous. They rise up against leaders and lead others to revolt. All it takes is a lie, or a scoff, or a smirk, or a rolling of the eyes done repeatedly. It seems likely that it was not that God would have pulled His protection from the ship because some had left, but that the poisons of fear and doubt left by those who abandoned ship would have led to a revolt against the centurion leading to his murder. But since the centurion moved quickly, decisively and strongly, he maintained control and authority over those on the ship. Divisive people brings down churches, small groups and even countries. Divisive people, going against the will of God, are dangerous. However, God’s people are those who are used to divide those who will suffer the second death from continuing on that path. God’s people are His instruments to save and preserve. God saved the centurion from impending treachery. God also can and does save us. Praise God who loves us so and who is able to bring about His will. Heed the warning of God, as led by God “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.” (Titus 3:10-11) Praise God who loves and keeps us! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”