Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, special ones.

The sunshine is filling the treescape out this window…but some at a lower angle from the hill to the east are still shaded. I guess I could holler out the door and say, “You may be in the shadows now, but Sunshine is coming!”

Let me say again that I’m just winging it in these little devotional compositions. Very seldom do I consult commentaries and other resources beyond what my little bald head has retained. Sure, I have some perspective leanings. Of course I want them to be as compatible with Biblical TRUTH as possible. But I sure don’t like the idea that my bias or dogma could be neutralizing or militating against the TRUTH as you see it…or as it really is. So if you identify flaws and can offer a compelling alternative (correct) view, don’t hesitate to let me know. We’re all required to figure out and connect the dots between Biblical revelation and practical reality…and beyond.

When I was last in the house about 20 minutes ago, only little Nicholas was up…consuming Becki’s attention. She reported that at one point where she was engaged away from him, he went to fiddling with buttons and knobs on the stereo. He managed to activate it…and turned up the volume to max. It scared the starch out of him…and launched him into a paralyzing crying fit. Could there be a lesson here? Is it possible that our fears are largely caused by our own ignorance or refusal to TRUST AND OBEY? Just wondering.

Blessings on your day. I think I’ll try on a jog and see how it fits.

Love, Dad/Ray

Let’s slice apart this statement by Jesus into four nice little pieces. They may be little in size, but I think they’re big in importance.

MAKE EVERY EFFORT. Jesus is helping us to understand a vital truth—entering the Kingdom of God is not by accident. It calls for effort—EVERY EFFORT—decisive, all-out, no-other-objective-matters effort—very intentional. Why do you think followers are called DISCIPLES? Do you see the connection to DISCIPLINE? Although we are not saved by our good works, do you think you can make it without focus and commitment and effort? I don’t think so. No one is going to accidentally fall into heaven.

ENTER THROUGH THE NARROW DOOR. Shall we complain to Jesus? “Jesus, don’t you think this word NARROW is a bit…well…NARROW?” Jesus would probably say, “Very.” It is so narrow that Peter was inspired to proclaim, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Whew! That’s NARROW!

MANY WILL TRY TO ENTER. I hope you can recognize a distinction between “effort” and “try.” EFFORT speaks of doing the right thing in the right way. TRY in this application is like futile effort, like doing the right thing in the wrong way—like a person trying to open a safe without following the instructions that contain the combination. Actually, the seriousness of the situation Jesus presents is more like a person trying to deactivate a destructive time bomb without knowing how.

NOT BE ABLE TO. It is helpful to understand that IF there was any other way for men to measure up to “the glory of God” (Romans 3:23; 5:2) and make heaven their home than the ONE WAY God graciously offers, even though it be NARROW, Jesus would not have had to come and die as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29, 36). I hereby reaffirm—there is absolutely no way I can achieve for myself what Christ achieved for me on the cross.

So, how many ways are there to Eternal Life? Let’s count them: ONE