2016 picture of Ray Sparre

Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67



Wed Aug 31, 2022

Good day, Zane.

How are things going for you these days? Is the chicken coop functional yet? We saw some of your family yesterday when attending the open house at the school where Callie will be a student this year. That appears to be a great school program.

Speaking of mindsets, I think the one I present below from today’s reading is of vital importance.

We’ll be in touch. Love and prayers—Tua/Ray.


31 August
Galatians 3:1-14
“Who has bewitched you?” (Galatians 3:1)

If we agree with Biblical revelation that there are two, and only two, spiritual kingdoms—and that these two are in perpetual conflict and competition over the souls of men, we will not be surprised at the schemes and strategies of evil to obscure, counter, or neutralize God’s plan for salvation. All such strategies are diabolical and in the same camp with witchcraft and black magic. We’re all involved in a cosmic battle over ownership, control, and eternal destiny of all human souls. Neutralization (to render ineffective) of the Gospel was the clear objective (at least it was clear to Paul) of the enemy kingdom in regards to the Galatian believers who were converted under Paul’s earlier evangelistic ministries. The tools of influence being used against their faith are distorted ideas from some so-called Jewish Christians who turn up to teach that receiving Christ in faith is not enough—they must also practice all the laws handed down from Moses. For this reason these teachers were called “Judaizers.” And for this reason, Paul was really ticked off.

If we agree with Biblical revelation that there are two, and only two, spiritual kingdoms—and that these two are in perpetual conflict and competition over the souls of men, we will not be surprised at the schemes and strategies of evil to obscure, counter, or neutralize God’s plan for salvation. All such strategies are diabolical and in the same camp with witchcraft and black magic. We’re all involved in a cosmic battle over ownership, control, and eternal destiny of all human souls. Neutralization (to render ineffective) of the Gospel was the clear objective (at least it was clear to Paul) of the enemy kingdom in regards to the Galatian believers who were converted under Paul’s earlier evangelistic ministries. The tools of influence being used against their faith are distorted ideas from some so-called Jewish Christians who turn up to teach that receiving Christ in faith is not enough—they must also practice all the laws handed down from Moses. For this reason these teachers were called “Judaizers.” And for this reason, Paul was really ticked off.

“If there were no enemies, there would be no battles;
if no battles, no victory; if no victory, no Gospel significance,
and no value to heavenly rewards.”