Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear ones.

The day is in full swing. The little boys are here. I’m snowed with work. I better keep moving. But in spite of all this pressure and distraction, I choose to refuse to be bumped from these Biblical priorities. It ain’t always easy. Please agree with me.

May your day go well.

Love, Dad/Ray.

If I could reduce Paul’s main concern for his readers to one basic message, I think it would be something like this: THE VICTOIOUS CHRISTIAN LIFE IS NOT A LEISURELY, CASUAL, RELAXING, “WHATEVER,” “HO-HUM,” “WALK-IN-THE-PARK” COURSE—BUT ONE OF DECISIVE LOVING GOD, COMMITMENT, DILIGENCE, FOCUS, GROWTH (development), AND SELF-DISCIPLINE (thus “discipleship”)—AND NOT JUST SOME OF THE TIME, BUT ALL OF THE TIME! I don’t really understand how any true believer can take exception with this view. As I attempt to regard Paul’s example as one that is worthy of following, I see this approach to life and faith paying valuable dividends, not just for me personally, but also in the lives of others who are of like-minded persuasion. This faith seems reminiscent of the comparison Jesus spoke of regarding the broad and easy way that leads to destruction, versus the narrow disciplined way that leads to LIFE (Matthew 7:13-14). Once again, I can’t seem to avoid the conclusion that it all boils down to a matter of CHOICE.

Let me quote verse 12: “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” You’ll notice that I underlined the last phrase. I think it’s worth raising the question as to why “Christ Jesus took hold of me?” Without any doubt, God has gone to great lengths and vested big-time in my salvation. The CROSS proves that! But why? Does He love me because I’m so loveable? No. Is it because I am of such sterling character? Certainly not. The best answer I can come up with is that He loves me NOT for what I am, but for what I may become IN CHRIST—for the potential I hold in embracing the above-mentioned approach to living. Let me repeat it—a life of LOVING GOD, COMMITMENT, DILIGENCE, FOCUS, GROWTH (development), AND SELF-DISCIPLINE (thus “discipleship”)—AND NOT JUST SOME OF THE TIME, BUT ALL OF THE TIME! This is an absolutely impossible job description for anyone NOT loving God. That’s the premise of it all.

Let me carry on this track by quoting verses 13 through 15: “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.”