Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Greetings, dear people.

Blustery day—wind, rain, sun, hail—if you don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes.

There have been so many interruptions and distractions that I failed to send this earlier. At least I’m remembering to do so now.

Dandy dog is doing amazingly well today. Yesterday I was near thinking it was time to put him down. He was a mess. But I gave him an aspirin, along with some milk in the evening to hopefully help to neutralize the toxins in his system, and he’s nearly normal now. He’s ready to chase balls again.

The little boys are in the house at present. I think it’s about time to return them home. So I had better go now. Good night.

Love, Dad/Ray.

How stable and lasting would you expect a marriage to be that was void of vows?—lacking of mutual commitments to faithfulness, exclusivity, and permanence? “OK, baby—I guess we can do this marriage thing if you want to so much—as long as there are no binding strings attached. I hate being bound. It kinda, you know, cramps my style. Let’s just enjoy loving each other for now and see how it goes.”

In the same way, how consistent, faithful, and fulfilled would you expect a Christian believer to be who is void or weak on vows and commitments? “OK, Lord—I feel like I really want to serve you at this point in time, but you know, it’s kinda hard to be holy when you’re human. So, even if I mess up here and there I guess I don’t need to worry too much since I always have your unconditional love to back me up and cover me in my premeditated sin.” If I am assimilating Scripture appropriately, I think the arch enemy has that “believer” right where he wants him.

Proverbs 1 hits me again with profound contemporary and relevant impact. The very same ingredients of the NATURAL SIN NATURE that hassled and damaged people in ancient times still hassles and damages people in 2016. The basic quality of STUPID back in Solomon’s day is still just as STUPID today. Therefore, “The fear of the LORD (including the fear of violating vows made to Him) is the beginning of knowledge (it’s still square one for doing life correctly), but fools (STUPID people) despise wisdom and discipline (and commitment)” (Proverbs 1:7).