2007 picture of Ray Sparre

Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67


March 12, 2012

Greetings, dear ones.

Blustery day out there. I think I’ll take on a little jog and see what it feels like. Then I need to crank up the treadmill and get to work. Of course, it’s a lot darker out there with the time change upon us.

May you go well today.

Love, Dad/Ray

12 March
Passage: Acts 17:16-34
Focus: “While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.” Acts 17:16.

I have a general belief that anyone who really really believes the Gospel message as disclosed in the Bible, that there is a real heaven to gain and a real hell to shun, and who beholds the general emptiness and ignorance within society at large as men grope in futility for meaning and fulfillment, will have to share in Paul’s Spirit-inspired emotion of being GREATLY DISTRESSED. How can anyone of this belief be unmoved by such knowledge and perspective? How can such a person be silent or inactive? How can any other conclusion be drawn from an overview of Scripture than MEN WITHOUT CHRIST ARE LOST?!

There is both some bad news and good news mixed into this view and its corresponding engagement. Part of the bad news is that one will certainly meet up with opposition, persecution, and abuse. Remember?— they’re empty and ignorant. So it’s not uncommon to hear words of contempt as Paul heard in Athens: “What is this babbler trying to say?” This bad news flows out of the fact that you can’t win them all. But the good news is that you can win some. At least you can lend positive influence by staying filled with the Spirit-Word, ready to offer a good word, and live a clean life that honors the Object of your faith. Such a non-confronting witness has the potential of raising some gnawing doubts in their minds as to the security and truth of their own position. That’s what Paul accomplished in Athens. I have a hunch that’s what God wants you to do in your Athens.

Don’t allow yourself to resist or resent being GREATLY DISTRESSED. Nurture it. It’s a vital component of your faith. It’s an indispensable part of God’s plan. Where would we be if God were not (in a sense) GREATLY DISTRESSED over our lost condition? Would we even have a chance to know the Gospel if someone along the line was not GREATLY DISTRESSED? In fact, I think it is quite appropriate to pray, “Lord, help me to be GREATLY DISTRESSED.”


“Trim your lamp often so that it will give more light and less smoke.”