Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Hello, nice people.

I guess my old man nap went too long. Now we need to scramble to get to our 3pm Gospel Sing event at Pheasant Pointe.

Blessings.

Love, Dad/Ray.

I’m being impressed again with the weight of personal responsibility that God attaches to the salvation equation. It seems to boil down to the simple fact that without our intense, serious, and focused personal commitment to God’s program, nothing much is going to be made of our knowledge of the Gospel. Just listen to these exhortation phrases that are laced through today’s reading: (1) “Train yourself.” (2) “Labor and strive” (implied). (3) “Command and teach.” (4) “Set an example.” (5) “Devote yourself.” (6) “Be diligent.” (7) “Do not neglect.” (8) “Give yourself wholly.” (9) “Watch…closely.” (10) “Persevere.”

Wow! It sure doesn’t sound like Paul allows us to be very casual or superficial about these matters. In fact, I am convinced that such a casual and laid-back form of Christianity makes one very vulnerable to what Paul describes in verses 1 and 2—leading one to “abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” To be sure, the enemy is not very concerned with our being an “average” or casual believer—especially one that is quite satisfied with that status.

I think it’s important to encourage believers with the routine and principle of PERSONAL DAILY DEVOTIONS. Here’s a simple 4-point outline approach that I have often promoted.

1. READ. Especially for those who are not fast and competent readers with ample time on their hands for personal study, I like to promote a READ THROUGH THE NEW TESTAMENT IN A YEAR plan. Of course, reading beyond this bare minimum is encouraged. It’s good to begin each reading with a prayerful attitude that says, “Lord, what do you want to say to me today?”
2. REFLECT. Think carefully. Chew on it. Do your best to understand the meaning and message.
3. RESPOND. Communication is required in any love relationship. Prayer is a vital avenue of response to God and His Word. Another, of course, is obedience and personal application of His Word.
4. WRITE. I think it is a good exercise to have and maintain a kind of devotion journal, a notebook in which you record thoughts, ideas, cross-references, and lessons that flow out of your prayerful reading.

   What’s the value of all this? For one thing, it is kind of hard to find a backslider (or a believer who is cold and weak in faith) who follows this kind of daily discipline (daily discipleship). Also, I think the last verse of our reading gives a pretty good statement of value in support of this kind of routine: “…if you do (these things), you will save both yourself and your hearers” (4:16).

   “Today is not won by old victories nor lost by old defeats.”