Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Greetings, dear ones.

At present there is beautiful sunlight flooding the trees. Just a while ago I was watching snowflakes fall. There is a dusting of snow on the ground. I’m going to head out and put the garbage can by the road on my way to doing a little jog. Then I’ll head into town to have my blood drawn for a test. That test is long overdue and my doctor is getting a little irritated with me. To comply, I have not eaten anything since last night.

The little boys are here. That tends to modify everything.

I hope you have a great day.

Love, Dad/Ray

Paul and Barnabas spoke correctly to the crowd at Lystra when they tried to prevent the people from making sacrifices to them following the healing of the cripple. “Men, why are you doing this? We too are ONLY MEN, human like you.” We know what they meant. But on the other hand, in a technical Biblical sense, their words were not altogether accurate. By this angle, Paul and Barnabas were NOT ONLY MEN. They were men born again, called of God, and filled with the Holy Spirit. There is a profound difference. ONLY MEN don’t experience new life in Christ. ONLY MEN don’t produce the fruit of the Spirit. ONLY MEN don’t take seriously the “Great Commission” and engage in reaching others with the good news of the Gospel. ONLY MEN don’t take a stand of non-conformity to their cultural environment and make themselves vulnerable to the hatred of men while serving in the love of Christ. What’s more, unless I have seriously misunderstood Biblical revelation, ONLY MEN don’t go to heaven.

The simple point I want to make is that you and I cannot afford to be ONLY MEN. We need to be people who respond to and move in the plans and purposes of God.