Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

And a good good morning to you, dear ones.

Becki and I knocked out our walk/jog excursion in good form…reasonably good form…being in pretty good shape for the shape we’re in. Know what I mean? It’s really a very pleasant dry and wind-free morning.

I vacillated over whether or not I would attempt to install a water pump in my truck…or have a mechanic friend do it. Since there was so much time and logistics involved in the latter option, I did it myself last evening. And I was successful…even though I had to make my little fingers do Houdini tricks in some of those awkward tight spaces.

Good timing. Becki just called to say breakfast was on the table. So the next step in the plan for the day is to comply. From there we’ll see what happens. Here goes another adventure.

Blessings on yours.

Love, Dad/Ray.

As you well know, there is a good deal of controversy that accompanies Christian doctrine. Of particular heat is the issue that grapples with this question: “Can a person be lost after he has been saved?” Those who support the persuasion of NO often quote from Jesus’ words from John 10:27-28 when He talks about the security of His sheep. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” The other side may argue, “But if a man, after being saved, runs back into deep dark sin and dies while participating in a drunken orgy, how can you say he is saved?” The “security” people will then respond, “Well, that only shows that he was never really saved in the first place.” In the minds of many, that settles it. However, my worry is that those who get all caught up in this debate on that level are missing the whole point. The question should not be, “Can a man be lost who was once saved?” but “What are the qualities and requirements for being one of His sheep?” That is more deserving of our focus, because filling that status absolutely guarantees salvation. A couple features are clear in John 10 concerning His sheep: (1) His sheep listen to His voice. (2) His sheep follow Him. I cannot help but draw this conclusion: Those who DO NOT listen to Him or follow Him are simply NOT His sheep and CANNOT participate in the blessings and benefits of being one of His sheep.

I’m also convinced that the condition of being His sheep is the same as being His disciple. Contained in today’s reading, Jesus provides some important insight into what that means. “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” So, what is a disciple of Christ? (1) One who knows and adheres to the teaching of Christ and His Word. (2) One who is set free from the controls and consequences of sin. Jesus goes on to clarify that anyone who carries on with sinning is clearly a slave to sin—and clearly NOT a disciple.

Why is this an important issue to address? Once again, my take is that only His sheep are the saved sheep—only disciples go to heaven. I really don’t see any clear and reasonable interpretation of the data given that would allow it to be otherwise.