Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Hi there, special ones.

I’m enjoying a rare phenomenon at present. The window on the north side of my studio is positioned just right to allow beautiful winter-time sunlight to stream in upon me. I can even feel some of the radiation heat thereof. Cool…I mean, warm.

Becki and I just returned from a walk. Notice I didn’t add “jog” to that description. I have a cold hammering me and decided to approach our excursion with a lower energy setting.

Back to finishing up a sign for a local fruit and veggie business. Yesterday I was able to succeed at creating vinyl graphics and applying them to a big-rig truck tractor. If I didn’t have other pressures, I would like to take advantage of this gorgeous weather and do some sawmill work.

Be blessed today…as you remember why you’re here.

Love, Dad/Ray.

This section confirms that SIN IS SERIOUS, and SIN IS SIN—whether intentional or unintentional. Ignorance offers no excuse or defense. SIN and its guilt remains until it is identified, confessed, atoned for, and FORGIVEN. I’m reminded that this really is a central theme running through the entire Biblical record.

The deposit of GUILT upon the human heart as a result of ORIGINAL SIN could be classed as unintentional (ignorant) SIN. So both the NATURAL SIN NATURE and the SINS committed as a result of that SIN NATURE must be confessed, atoned for, and FORGIVEN. Without these measures, GUILT remains before a HOLY GOD. We are all painted into a serious corner with no solution of our own. All we can do is accept God’s AMAZING GRACE provision. Problem solved!

The Apostle John was allowed to live during the bridge between the Old and New Testaments—his life spanned both sides of the CROSS. Listen as he declares the wonderful New Testament once-for-all fulfillment of this Old Testament sacrificial system in these words, “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives” (1 John 1:5-10).

In view of all this we need to note that there is only one form of SIN that God cannot FORGIVE—unconfessed/un-atoned-for SIN. And whereas atonement has already been made, personal confession (with a HEART AFTER GOD) is all that’s left.