Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good afternoon, dear ones.

I felt the need to get going as soon as I could toward doing the “Log Wash” process to the mural frame that is now temporarily standing here near the shop. It needs time to dry before applying the multi-step course of finishes. I made good use of the crane truck in assembling those big heavy components. It is getting a bit impressive in its appearance.

Back to it. Blessings on the rest of your day.

Love, Dad/Ray

What are the chances that our Biblical faith is just a bunch of fiction?—an elaborate maze of humanly-inspired fairy tales? (That is the conclusion one is likely to make who reads and believes a literary work like “THE DA VINCI CODE”—assuming that it represents valid verifiable truth.) Those of us who embrace a Biblical faith know there is much more to the matter than just intellect, history, or science. There is also the vital metaphysical component of the Spirit of God affirming our status in our own spirits “that we are God’s children” (Romans 8:16). But rather than defend and debate the issue of a personal faith, I judge that a much more important (and risk-free) question is this: What are the chances that this body of Biblical revelation is TRUE?

The words of Jesus quoted above is about as profound a statement regarding spiritual life and reality as any I can think of. Jesus referred back to the experience of Moses and his divine encounter at the burning bush where God presented Himself as “the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,” and added “He is not the God of the dead, but of the of the living, for to him all are alive.” (20:37-38. See Exodus 3:6).

Who besides Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are involved in this wonderful, eternal, and spiritual existence that follows their physical deaths? Jesus puts it this way: “Those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage (it’s not business as usual), for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection” (20:36). So the answer to this question is “those who are considered worthy.” Considered worthy by whom? By the Sovereign God—on His terms—the privilege of Sovereignty. And what is the standard for determination? It’s certainly not a matter of tallying up a bunch of good works in larger measure than bad ones—just trying to be a nice guy (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23; John 3:16). Besides the centrality of Christ as Savior and Lord, I have to conclude that the whole matter of worthiness hinges on the personal condition of A HEART AFTER GOD. (There it is again!) That’s just another way of describing those who comply with the first and foremost command contained in the Word of God according to Jesus: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38).