Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear people.

I type this amidst a good deal of interference. Lots going on around me in the way of noise. Thano is about the biggest of the noise-makers. But I just had an encouraging little experience. In our typical tradition when the boys are here, I held Kaden in my arms and sang again our morning chorus, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness, O Lord, great is Thy faithfulness.” For the first time, he sang with me. Then little Nicholas came to me and had to have me hold him and sing it again. So we did.

I have a bunch of sign design work to do…so better move my office operation out to the pole barn studio.

Blessings on your day. Love, Dad/Ray

Peter was clearly saved and filled with the Spirit. But those special God-given experiences were not sufficient to automatically and instantaneously correct all his wrong views and thinking so as to maximize his effectiveness as an agent of the Gospel. He still had some undesirable baggage—some wrong ideas concerning people and the plan of God. To get Peter’s attention and help him break free from some preconceived traditional thought, God used some special dramatic means. Fortunately, Peter was a pretty good student and submitted to God’s lesson plan—though it was definitely difficult. Peter demonstrates his learning revolutionary stuff when he testifies before Cornelius’ household, “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean” (10:28). He reaffirms his learning new lessons by saying, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right” (10:34-35).

In all of this, Peter was actually gaining some personal and practical insight into the ancient promise given by God to Abraham when He affirmed that through Abraham’s family line “all the peoples on earth will be blessed” (Gen. 12:23). It’s worth noting the words Peter used to describe the typical Jewish attitude. He said, “It is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him.” To this we can say, “You’re right, Peter—it’s against your law, but not God’s.” That’s what Jesus was talking about when He reprimanded the Pharisees and teachers of the law and said, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?” He went on to quote Isaiah and said, “They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men” (Matt. 15:3-9). Peter was now being shaken and fine-tuned by the Spirit of God to get a better grasp of Jesus’ last words when He gave His disciples this mandate: “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creation” (Mk. 16:15). He needed to personally understand that God’s gift of salvation was not exclusive—for just Jews.

Do you suppose there could be some form or pattern of thinking in you that is not exactly right? Is it possible that God desires to show you something important that you still don’t clearly understand? Sorry to break the news to you like this—but probably there is. One thing for sure is that just because you are saved and have experienced some special encounters with God is no guarantee that you are completely right about everything. Please be a real disciple and seek God and study His Word. Then you will be able to testify with Peter, (in so many words) “GOD HAS SHOWN ME important things that I didn’t recognize or understand before.” Your adventure continues.