Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

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3 May 10

    Dear special people.
    Wind and rain so far.  But I think I'll take it on and do a jog after I get this off.  Incidentally, I did do the fun run with the Pregnancy Care Center on Saturday morning.  I came in way near the tail.  But that's OK...I'm just an old tortoise.  When I crossed the finish line I was singing, "Not to the strong is the battle, not to the swift is the race, but to the true and the faithful, victory is promised by grace."  I just did my own pace...and finished the course lined out for me.  Do you think there might be a lesson here?
    Hang in there.  Pace yourself.  You can do it.  You're a winner.
        Love and prayers, Dad/Ray

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3 May 2010
Passage: 1 Peter 3
Focus: “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?”  1 Peter 3:13.
           
You can tell a lot about a person by identifying what sparks his excitement and enthusiasm—what really turns his gears.  For some it may be a game of basketball, climbing a mountain, a fishing trip, viewing their favorite television program, or freedom to just read an intriguing book.  There are those who are consumed with the accumulation of wealth, testing a new machine, or exploring some new place in the world.  Then there are those with a bent toward evil, who are excited about pulling off a successful theft, rape, murder, or something rotten done to other people.  Out of a cross-section of society, I wonder how many would fit the description Peter gives here—people who are “eager to do good.”
            What are some of the aims and ambitions of a person who is “eager to do good?”  The highest beginning point of this, according to Jesus, is to love God completely (Matt. 22:36-38).  Peter puts it like this: “In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord” (1 Pet. 3:15).  Out from that heart condition flows the Spirit of Christ, influencing one to really be eager about doing good to others—helping people in their hardships and hurts.  James offers this perspective: “Religion (true faith) that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27).  Also, consider the disclosure Jesus gives in Matthew 25 concerning the separation of the righteous and the wicked at the end.  The Lord commends the righteous for all the good they have done to others.  “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go visit you?’  The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’” (Matt. 25:37-40).  Think about it.
            You can be sure that there is nothing more encouraging and rewarding to a parent than a child who is eager to help and obey.  There is nothing more inspiring to a boss than an employee who is eager to do good work and stay busy.  There is nothing more stimulating and gratifying to a teacher than a student who is eager to learn and do good schoolwork.  And it is easy to comprehend that there is nothing that thrills the heart of the Lord more than followers who are eager to serve and please Him—“eager to do good.”