Dear Church of the Open Bible,
What’s the point? Have you ever asked that question? Why am I doing this? What’s the goal? When we decided to make the move to Dallas, and go to seminary, I remember asking this question in my first few weeks there. Why am I here? What’s the point? With that question in mind, I went to the first chapel of my first year, and the speaker spoke on 1 Timothy 1:5.
…nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. - 1 Timothy 1:4–5
Considering the question I was wrestling with, you might say these verses were on point. The aim is love. This is the sum goal of all biblical teaching: to love God and to love others. I need to be reminded of that from the outset.
If after moving my family over 3700 km, after thirty-six courses, over three years of study, and tens of thousands of dollars, if after all that, I do not leave loving God more, it would all be a horrible waste. Who cares about grades or memories or job offers. None of them would be worth it, apart from that one goal.
If you listen to sermon after sermon, podcast after podcast, read chapter after chapter, and if they are not aiming you to love God and others more, you may as well stop. I mean, what’s the point? The aim is love. And this love of God and others is achieved by a heart cleansed of sin, a conscience cleared of guilt, and a faith cultivated in truth. Love well!