The F.A.T. Man

by | Aug 29, 2023 | Articles, Mentors Corner

Are you a F.A.T. man?  One of the pernicious effects that a man may encounter after walking with Jesus for many years is the idea that he has reached the summit, that he understands and knows all that he needs to out of the Scriptures, and that subsequently, he has nothing left to learn.  This “idea” is of course a lie that our enemy, the Devil, would take great joy in us embracing.  The mature follower of Christ rejects this deception and listens to the Apostle Paul’s warning in I Corinthians 10:12 “Therefore, let him who thinks he stands, take heed that he does not fall.” Those involved in E2 may be familiar with the term “F.A.T. man”. If you are looking for men to invest and pour your life into, men to disciple, one does well to locate F.A.T men and then invest there.  This simple acronym stands for Faithful, Available, and Teachable. However, before a man looks and prays for God to give him F.A.T. men to invest his life into, he does well to be consistently evaluating if he himself is such a type of man.  A rhetorical question for your consideration:  Am I maintaining a teachable spirit or do I think that I already have all of the Biblical knowledge and answers that a man can attain?  A good barometer of a man’s true spiritual maturity is if he maintains a teachable spirit.  Do you? St. Jerome rightfully observed that “The Scriptures are shallow enough for a babe to come and drink without fear of drowning and deep enough for a theologian to swim in...

First Love

by | Aug 15, 2023 | Articles, Mentors Corner

In chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of Revelation, The apostle John quotes Jesus’ observations and commands from the Spirit toward seven churches.  The first of the seven is to the Church in Ephesus. “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” (Revelation 2:4). Jesus says in this message (Revelation 2:1-7) that He knows their deeds of toil, perseverance, the intolerance of evil, the vetting of the veracity of those calling themselves apostles and yet, have not grown weary. These activities, at least outwardly, would seem to be indicative  of men on the right path, walking closely with their Lord with legitimate Christian motives and actions in service to Christ.  Perhaps they were even involved in the ministry of men, evangelism of the lost and edification of the believers.  Perhaps they are leaders and are respected by men seeking the things of God. But Jesus says they left their first love. He has that against them. Obviously He is referring to the relationship with Jesus Christ.  He is addressing the believer who is perhaps finding his significance in his works over his dependence on God.  Or possibly looking to the approval and glory from men:  “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not see the glory that is from the one and only God?” (John 5:44). Whatever the motive, He says they left.  This implies an intention to leave, maybe out of neglect or embracing the things of the world, but not something that was imposed upon them.  It also implies that a decision of repentance...