Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear ones.

Two little boys, Kaden and Nicholas, are here with me in the studio at present. They were delivered here at 6:24am this morning. They’re nibbling from little bags of Cheerios and raisins…and goofing off…presently trying to get Max to obey their whimsical commands. Max is actually cowering here at my feet, hoping Kaden won’t see him. A power struggle is developing. We’re inclined to let Thano sleep as he did a late shift which prevented his hitting the bed till about 2am. At least his truck carried him home. Strangely, the mechanic who checked out his truck yesterday could find nothing wrong…and it started right up for him.

The last weather report I heard indicated that it is likely to be dry today…so I may be able to get back onto the construction job again…and bring that closer to finished…building extensions on both sides of one of our 6’x8’ sheds. At least my compressor is working again. Before heading that direction, I may do a little sandblasting job…a wood sign panel I prepared last evening for a new business in town.

I was able to squeeze in a little sawmill job yesterday afternoon…cutting up one small black walnut log into nice boards to be used in his furniture making. He was very impressed with my machine. So am I. I guess this is evidence that my work is a strange and diverse mixture. I often tell people that I won’t likely die from boredom.

Happy Tuesday! Love, Dad/Ray.

I want to offer some further comments on paraphrase Bible translations. I don’t have a problem with them—as long as they are not in conflict with our best understanding of the original texts. In fact, I think they are good and helpful. Furthermore, I believe that every believer is required to do paraphrases of their own. That is, every believer is called upon to take the essential meaning of the revealed word of God and paraphrase it into practical living by their thinking and acting. This approach is entirely compatible with the dictionary definition of “paraphrase”—“A restatement of a text or passage in another form or other words, often to clarify meaning.” The way I see it, your Christian life is a paraphrased version of the Bible. Can you imagine how confusing and conflicting things could be if we were caught up with assigning versions to our Christian lives? “I do my Christian living in KJV. What’s your version?” “I used to do it in ASV, then I shifted over to NIV.” “Well, I start the day doing an AMPLIFIED Christian life, but by evening I’m back doing the LIVING BIBLE.” Good grief! That’s crazy!

Anyway—I want to attempt a paraphrase of this focus verse and its context as I understand it. I believe Paul is essentially saying, “My main objective as an appointed herald and apostle of this Gospel is to inspire, challenge, and help people everywhere to hook up to the life-changing and life-cleansing Spirit of God through Christ so as to become people who are truly holy (i.e., set apart for God’s purpose and pleasure) and able to worship God in spirit and in truth, free of anger and argumentation with God or man.” That is certainly not a bad quest. And it is certainly not just Paul’s individual quest. It is also God’s (and should be ours) as stated in verses 3 and 4: “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (which results in holiness).

Let’s be reminded that holiness is not optional. It was a recent reading in Hebrews that presented a similar message. “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 11:14). You and I both know that this is no snap and simple matter. But still it’s NOT OPTIONAL. Let’s repeat—there is only one way it can be achieved—“Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). “Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the LORD your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the LORD, who makes you holy” (Leviticus 20:7-8).

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).

Do you agree?—this is important!