2007 picture of Ray Sparre

Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67


January 06, 2013

Good morning, special ones.

I’m presently awaiting Becki to pop into the studio…at which time we will head out for out walk/jog. At least it’s not presently raining.

OK…here she comes. I’ll refrain from other commentary and press the send button.

Blessings on your day.

Love, Dad/Ray

06 January
Passage:Genesis 16-18
Focus: “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.” Genesis 17:7.

Let’s not confuse the covenant with the sign of the covenant. The covenant is the goal and fulfillment of an agreement that requires heart-level acceptance, commitment, and action. The sign of the covenant is external and ceremonial—a formal promise to maintain the goals of the covenant. Thus, Holy Communion is a worthless ceremony if it is not combined with personal HOLY COMMUNION—a human heart seeking God (Matthew 6:33). Baptism means nothing if it’s meaning is lost (Romans 6:11). And wedding ceremonies do not make couples married—any more than signing a contract completes a contract.

God knows the damage done to the human heart by SIN—that “every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood” (Genesis 8:21). He knows that human life cannot and will not function properly with that orientation—without a heart change—without A HEART AFTER GOD. This essential truth is at the core of God’s institution of the circumcision ceremony—the external, yet private and personal, sign of A HEART AFTER GOD.

In regards to this covenant goal, please be circumcised (Romans 2:25-29).


“Every great person first learned how to obey, whom to obey, and when to obey.”