Insightful Musings on the New Testament
by
Ray Sparre, NU class of '67

Ray has a wealth of experience as a Husband, Father, Pastor, Missionary, and student of the Word. He believes and practices his faith where the rubber meets the road. You'll find his writings to be practical, insightful, and grounded in a truly Christ-centered world view.

Below are links to a printable daily Bible reading guide which Ray is following, and an archive of all his daily devotional writings for 2010.

|  Daily Reading Guide  |  2010 Devotion Archives  |
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22 Nov 10
            Dear special people.
            Our cold spell is predicted to drop snow on us here in the Willamette Valley before the day is over.  We’ll see.  That can only mean that the ski areas are getting plenty of it.
            I have a big long list of objectives…including the repair of the fuel line to our shop furnace.  Lots of fun in store.
            Have a blessed day.  That’s more important than what we would call a “fun” day.
                        Love, Dad/Ray
 
22 November 2010
Passage: John 15:18-16:16
Focus: “He will convict the world…”  John 16:8.
            I confess that, although I memorized John 16:8-11 as a young person, it never really turned on lights of understanding quite like it seems to be now.  Before attempting some commentary, let’s put those verses before us: “When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.”
            Jesus, of course, is speaking of the advent of the Holy Spirit Who will be sent after Jesus returns to the Father.  He will work actively through the lives of believers so as to convince and convict people on three levels of essential truth:
SIN.  Notice that it is singular—SIN.  This singular SIN is clearly UNBELIEF.  Man is not condemned because of all the individual sins he commits, but because he does not BELIEVE in the one and only solution to his SIN problem (Jn. 3:18-21).
RIGHTEOUSNESS.  Notice that the objective here is not UNrighteousness, but RIGHTEOUSNESS.  The Kingdom of God IS righteousness (Rom. 14:17).  Jesus promised that if we would make His Kingdom and His righteousness supreme in our lives, then everything else would come out right (Matthew 6:33).  Jesus is the epitome of righteousness.  But when He returned to glory, that demonstration is passed on to His disciples and the convicting (convincing) power of the Holy Spirit that accompanies their witness.
JUDGMENT.  Notice that this is not speaking of the final judgment of God on unbelievers, but God’s judgment on the “prince of this world,” Satan, as accomplished at the cross (Jn. 12:31-32).  Once again, this truth is communicated through the convincing influence of the Holy Spirit and the practical demonstration of Spirit-empowered believers.  It really is important that we understand, firmly believe, and demonstrate that Satan is a liar, deceiver, and conquered enemy.  Anyone not believing that is in trouble.
            So be reminded of the part you play as a true believer.  Think of it—you are called on to be a ministry partner along with the Holy Spirit.  “He (the Holy Spirit) will testify about me.  And you also must testify” (Jn. 15:26-27).  What a partnership!  What an opportunity!  What a responsibility!
 
“Christ departed so that the Holy Spirit would be imparted.”