Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Hello, dear ones.

I felt a little moisture in the air while walking between the house and here. But it’s certainly not enough to worry about when we take off on our walk/jog in a few minutes. Following that, I face a pretty heavy set of objectives. Added to the list is some research to do for a friend in the Solomon Islands…options and regulations for importing a bunch of Solomon hardwood to the US…and checking out some newer church groups who are now “setting up shop” in the Solomons.

What will America look like after tomorrow? My own opinion regarding voting is to not necessarily select the presidential candidate who represents our personal ideal, but the one (1) WHO HAS A CHANCE TO OF WINNING, and (2) WHO IS LIKELY TO BEST PERPETUATE THE IDEALS OF AMERICA’S FOUNDING FATHERS. Voting for one who cannot win, is actually voting for the worst option. The way voting works in our country, that is a mathematical fact.

May your day be blessed.

Love, Dad/Ray.

Before I respond to Peter’s very good exclamation, I want to call your attention to verse 66. “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” Notice this is the 6th chapter. So the address is 6:66. 666? While this may be entirely coincidental, I think the shoe fits. (Read Matthew 12:30.) So before you let yourself get all preoccupied with the “anti-Christ” mystery number of 666 in the Revelation disclosure, make sure you pay careful attention to the “spirit of anti-Christ” that works like a default setting when we fail to seek Christ and His Lordship.

Now—to Peter’s response to Jesus’ question put to His inner circle of disciples—“You do not want to leave too, do you?” (v. 67). Peter seems to be the “speaker of the house”—“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God” (vv. 68-69).

There really are a lot of options before us insofar as where we can go with our life goals and objectives. All kinds of religious ideologies would welcome wandering sheep into their fold. There is Baha’i, Buddhism, New Age, Islam, Hinduism, atheism, Satanism, Mormonism, Unity, and humanism, just to name a few—like booths set up in the marketplace that would open wide their arms to anyone yielding to their embrace.

I’m thinking right now that there are some important safeguards and valid questions to ask in trying to sort out the myriad of options. Maybe we could call it a checklist for screening the alternatives as to one’s life course:

1. Is this package of truth claims substantiated by respectable human experience? Are there credible role models that demonstrate its values?
2. Does it hold value only after death, or are there practical benefits in the present?
3. Is it verifiable and compatible with sound reasoning?
4. Is there convincing evidence of divine origins and approval?
5. Is it reasonably available and attainable by everyone?
6. Does it satisfy?
7. Does it provide one with a passion and purpose to live and die for?
8. Are there consequences to rejection besides fear? What are they?

I don’t really know what Peter used as a screening checklist when Jesus asked his question, but I believe he answered well. His response sounds like an echo to what Jesus just said in verse 63: “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” And in John 8:31-32 Jesus stated, “If you hold to my teaching (My Words), you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”