Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear ones.

Whew! We’re back home. We sure had a great time with our network of friends…the kind of friends that you may not have seen for years, but when you meet again, it’s like your relationship has not missed a beat.

I need to take off in a few minutes to a doctor appointment. I guess I’ll wait till after that to work up my big objective list…and get scared.

This reading in 2 Corinthians 10 is sure stimulating. We could go on to expound on the last verse…”For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends” (v.18). In other words, “I may be a golden mouth preacher and claimer of a package of wonderful ideology…convinced that I’m right and that everyone who disagrees with me is out to lunch…but if the Sovereign Judge does not approve, or finds flaws, distortions, or deceptions within my wonderful claims, I’m in big trouble…like eternal trouble.” According to Jesus, the two basic judgments He will pronounce are (1) “Well done, good and faithful servant,” or (2) “Depart from me, worker of iniquity.” I don’t have to think very hard to determine which pronouncement I prefer.

Blessings on your own day. Love, Dad/Ray.

Contained in Paul’s defense of his apostolic ministry is an essential principle for all believers toward Christian success. It is a principle that calls for constant psychological discipline. We might call it BIBLICAL MIND CONTROL. But it’s not JUST psychological. It is also spiritual, because it employs the most dynamic resource of spiritual power available to man—the proper use and application of THE WORD OF GOD—which is “the sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17). “For THE WORD OF GOD is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

TLet me say it again with exclamation: This is an ESSENTIAL principle for ALL believers toward CHRISTIAN SUCCESS! Why? Because to overlook, neglect, or reject it is to guarantee CHRISTIAN FAILURE.

Have you noticed that virtually everything you do in life is a result of your thought processes? Thoughts are definitely linked to your behavior and quality of life. Please do not buy into the notion that thoughts are just thoughts—that they just come and go as they please and you hardly have any control over them. That’s a recipe for becoming a psychological and emotional basket case. Here’s how it works in simple form: THINK RIGHT—LIVE RIGHT. THINK WRONG—LIVE WRONG. And remember—there are only 2 kingdoms—God’s and Satan’s. God wants you to think right and has provided a standard and resource for doing so. Satan wants you to think wrong and will employ every subtle and deceptive trick he can to neutralize or destroy your faith. It boils down to a matter of choice. Which do you choose? Please understand that the right choice is a 24/7 choice.

As I try to think this through, I judge that it’s important to clarify that the activation of this vital principle is not just a matter of human effort. Human effort alone has been proven futile. I learn real fast that I can’t do what God’s Word says unless I do what God’s Word says. And the bottom line of what God’s Word says is to sincerely seek first His Kingdom rule and to love Him passionately—in other words, nurture A HEART AFTER GOD. Bingo! There’s the key to it all! It’s like entering the required password or pin number for accessing the required divine resources.