Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Greetings, dear ones.
We’ve already knocked out our walk/jog. Definitely cooler out there…but a nice morning. We now need to scramble to get to an appointment in Beaverton.
Once again I’m reminded of a bottom-line principle of the Kingdom of God…with a lot of evidence for its validity all around us. THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM. That’s the positive spin. But to give it a converse spin strikes me as equally valid. TO REJECT OR IGNORE THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING (OR PERPETUATION) OF STUPID! That’s how I believe it works. Do you agree?
Love and Prayers, Dad/Ray.
The full statement of Jesus in John 8:29 goes like this: “The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” Jesus made it clear that He was secure in His relationship with the Father. He was not a lonely human being—governed by subjective feelings, public sentiment, or circumstance.
I think it is quite appropriate for us to take this confidence expressed by Jesus and do everything we reasonably can to make it our own. If we fill the bill as being one of Jesus’ disciples, then we are indeed sent and commissioned by Him to do His will. Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21). (PS: Impulse poetry—“Fill the bill to do His Will—He’ll keep you safe and strong and still.”) If we recognize that our primary purpose as born-again, transformed, forgiven, and sanctified believers is to “always do what pleases him,” we have a divine guarantee of His presence accompanying us. How good it that?! Our Lord says, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Let’s take time to be reminded of our great job description and the benefits that go with it. “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age’” (Matthew 28:18-20).
Here’s the ultimate bottom line as I see it. Dedicate yourself to do His will, and you’ve got the support of Almighty God. Neglect or reject His will, and you’re on your own, baby! Taking it all into account, I really hope that scares the hell out of you—if you know what I mean.