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| Navy SEAL [ST1] BUD/S Class 62 HooYah! (2 Tim 2:3-4; Php 3:13-14) |
The main reason for attending Tennessee Temple University and doing some post-graduate work at Temple Seminary was to address my severe lack of knowledge of God’s Word. As a new creation in Christ, I wanted to learn how my Redeemer viewed people, places, and things of the world at a more concentrated pace to "make up" for the first twenty-four years of living without God. Accumulating academic knowledge was one thing, but applying that knowledge in living for Christ can be quite challenging at times, and after all, spiritual maturity does take a lifetime.
As bizarre as this may sound, my intent in attending TTU was not to seek a vocation as a minister. It sounds a bit crazy to invest time and money in a school that I will not use to provide me with gainful employment after graduation, yes? Looking back, however, this was one of those things that I would not have done differently. In other words, I am persuaded it was the right thing to do (cf. Prov 3:13-15; 15:16; 16:16). I am very thankful to Yahweh for the groundwork of my spiritual education there.
Despite the subsequent undulating years of victories and failures in my life, I have grown slowly but surely in the grace and knowledge of Christ, thanks to Divine patience and wisdom. I have learned that there are no masters of the Word of God, only students. The reason for saying this is because we never stop growing in Christ; there is no glass ceiling. We are spiritually indeterminate growers until we R.I.P. or are raptured!
As seekers of God (Jer 29:13), our finiteness (Isa 55:9) and sinfulness (Rom 7:25) become quickly evident as we wrestle with obedience to the revelation of God who is eternal, immutable, holy, infinite, and amazingly so much more beyond our imagination (Isa 55:9; Rom 11:33)! I will confess that in the struggles to understand, know, and obey the truth of Scripture, the more I learned the more I realized how little I knew. It still baffles me that God puts up with any of us saved sinners, particularly me! It must be that mysterious and magical agape (love) of God, cf. Rom 5:8.
Yahweh knows right well that I am forever indebted to those spiritually splendid seafaring men who were highly skilled in teaching this average southern boy how to navigate the boundless ocean and unfathomable depths of the Word of truth (2 Tim 2:15). Breaking from the shore into the deep reminds me of the Breton fishermen prayer, “Thy sea, O God, so great my boat so small.” Though I consider myself an avid sailor of Scripture, I can say with certainty that I am neither a stained-glass saint nor a scholar of the Word; for me to suggest otherwise would be outright laughable!
Concerning the notion of a stained-glass saint, I am merely a sinner saved by the grace of God through faith (Eph 2:8-9). Once I was a slave to sin, but now, I am a slave (doulos) of God (cf. 1 Cor 6:19-20). As far as a scholar of the Word, I am merely an amateur (French meaning, a lover of something) of the Word, nothing more.
Chasing after the knowledge and understanding of Yahweh is a passion of mine, and thankfully, I have no inclination to quit such a daunting, neverending task given that Yahweh is unlimited, without beginning or end. I thank the Holy Spirit of God for His illuminations and for giving me a spirit of persistence in keeping my nose to the grindstone.
Even though the antonym of amateur is professional or expert, I am not suggesting that what I am saying in M-G is without cogency, or that I should be easily dismissed simply because I do not bear the right title or letters behind my name (cf. Mt 7:28-29; 11:25; Jn 7:15, 17; Acts 4:13; 1 Cor 1:27). This “having a taste for” as an amateur is actually a lifestyle based on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ which is inextricably linked to His Word (Job 23:12; Psa 19:10; 34:8; 119:103; Song 2:3; Jer 15:16; 1 Pet 2:2-3). Obeying the Word is the natural, unforced byproduct or fruit of a genuine love (agape) for God (Jn 14:15, 21, 23; 1 Jn 5:3).
You can vet me by searching the Scriptures and deciding for yourself with the help of the Holy Spirit if what I am saying aligns with the teaching of Scripture and God’s view of the world (cf. Jn 7:17; Acts 17:10, 11-12; 1 Jn 4:1). This is what I do whenever I come across any Bible-quoting man or woman who claims to represent God from the internet, a podcast, radio, TV, books, magazines, pulpits, podiums, et cetera. On this side of eternity, there will always be wolves in sheep's clothing who sacrifice the truth for an agenda that does not seek to glorify God but self.
Should you not subscribe to a historical-grammatical approach in interpreting the Scriptures where the context is honored above all rules of interpretation and comparing Scripture with Scripture, then you will likely discover that my understanding of Scripture will not be in harmony with your narrative of Scripture. I make no claim to be perfect, of course, but I do my best to present the truth to the glory of God (cf. 2 Cor 5:9).
Unashamedly, I am simply a follower of the Way by conviction and a Baptist by preference. I assiduously pursue being a Biblicist who truly believes that the Bible is the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and practice (2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:20-21) and utilizing the traditional tools of interpreting text and honoring the Author’s original meaning to the best of my abilities.
Admittedly, I am unworthy to undertake a blog proclaiming the glory and majesty of Yahweh. Inherent in that statement is no assertion of humility or claim to be the paragon of virtue! Honestly, I am fearful of writing or saying inaccurate things about Yahweh out of respect and love for Him and personal accountability to Him (cf. Jas 3:1; Job 42:7; 2 Tim 2:15). This healthy fear does not make me immune to error for I am a sinner saved by the grace of God, but I do have great respect for the Truth (Jn 14:6) that helps to keep me aligned or calibrated with the teaching of Scripture.
Therefore, I cannot afford to take what I write or speak lightly (cf. Jas 3:1). I have also experienced what Paul encountered when it came to looking out for the spiritual welfare of others. Truth expressed in love (agape) often causes some not to respond in kind (cf. 2 Cor 12:15; cf. Gal 4:16)! Love separated from the truth is nothing more than a false virtue. Amidst the battle of light and darkness, pushback is expected at every turn. Truth is not always welcomed or embraced (cf. Prov 29:27), is it?
I beseech you, therefore, my dear reader;
(1) Stay strong in Yahweh [Eph 6:10];
(2) Seek to be skilled in the Word [2 Tim 2:15], and
(3) Be steadfast in the faith until the rapture or R.I.P. [1 Cor 15:58]!
I encourage the reader to embrace and apply the truths of Scripture and seek to champion a biblical worldview in any life situation for the benefit of the Kingdom in your service to Him, for nothing enters our life unless God allows it! May Yahweh bless your endeavors that aim to be pleasing to Him in thought, word, and deed as a born again slave (doulos) of the Almighty God (1 Cor 6:19, 20). Selah. <><
Those who honor Me I will honor (1 Samuel 2:30).
“...for the life that
honors God is the only life God honors.”
GUTS
LUCOTTOS
Scrittura Creativa
