Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning to you, dear ones.

I’m still feeling kind of sticky…even though the jog/walk was over a good half hour ago. We just finished our breakfast. Now it’s time to get this off, get the sticky off in the shower, and be off and running in all kinds of directions. I know…I’m a little off. I think we’re on to something there.

Have a great day as you “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Does that mean that you are to be constantly on your knees with your hands folded and eyes closed? Of course not. I’ve heard someone state what I think is a practical equivalent—PRACTICE THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD.

Love, Dad/Ray.

I think it is very important and significant that Paul gives focus to the centrality of Christ at the outset of his expounding on spiritual gifts—a topic that has given rise to all kinds of controversy within the Body of Christ. I am also inclined to believe that giving such balanced attention to Christ would go a long way toward minimizing the debate and help to achieve healthy balance. I’ve beheld too many cases of imbalance—where spiritual gifts are more the focus than is Jesus and His Lordship.

Without doing a lot of expounding, I think I will simply attempt to paraphrase this verse in my own words and thoughts: “Whereas we speak by much more than just words, anyone who says with words, or even implies by lifestyle or attitude, that Jesus is just a man or that He’s not really very important, is way off course in relation to the truth of God. And anyone who says with words that Jesus is their Lord, and supports that claim with their lifestyle and attitudes, they are actually demonstrating the power and authenticity of the Holy Spirit—which is the Spirit of Christ. That person’s life, in various ways and degrees, actually becomes an example of Christ ministering through His people to His people.”

In keeping with Paul’s illustration, I acknowledge that I am not the Body of Christ. But I am a part. And even this little composition can be a medium for functioning in The Body as a part—a very little part—kind of like one little blood cell.