Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Good morning, dear people.
I’m ready for the day. I did my jog with the dog, ate breakfast, showered, changed…oops!—I forgot to brush my teeth. Phooey! Better get that on the list.
Becki and Thano are with the little boys up at a nearby farm to pick up some raw milk, cream, and butter. That’s our preferred dairy source. I just called to give a message to Thano that I finally found the pair of tweezers that I was bugging him about losing. They were right where I put them. Phooey again! It’s not the first time to wash egg off my face.
Have fun with your day…if you can. If you can’t, well tough it up and do the right thing anyway.
Love. Dad/Ray.
Isn’t it safe to say that we’re never absolutely safe this side of eternity? While God makes some promises that are unconditional, those that apply to my own security and eternal well-being are conditional. It’s like a marriage agreement based on mutual promises. There is always the IF CLAUSE—IF both parties follow through to keep their promises to each other, then a permanent and safe relationship is established. How could it be otherwise? But IF one party fails to maintain the binding promises required by that mutual agreement, then the whole deal breaks down. There is no safety in broken deals. Both sides are now affected by the failure of one side. The whole deal is now damaged and vulnerable to dissolution.
Furthermore, isn’t it safe to say I have good reason to be concerned for those who think they are safe when they are not safe—when they base their safety on their memory of praying a “sinners prayer” back when they were 12? The notion that they are now magically safe because of those magic words strikes me as a reckless way to treat the first condition of the agreement—“'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38).
If one were reading this account for the first time, they may be tempted to think that this spectacular temple that Solomon has crafted and built to honor the Lord along with the extravagant dedication celebration would make this arrangement lasting and safe. Solomon even used the word “forever” in his expression of praise to the LORD following the supernatural manifestation of the cloud filling the temple—“I have indeed built a magnificent temple for you, a place for you to dwell forever” (8:13). Now turn the clock ahead to Jesus with His disciples at the temple in Jerusalem (Incidentally, it is not the same temple Solomon built). The disciples were exclaiming over the impressive architecture and grandeur of the place. Jesus popped that balloon by saying to them, “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down” (Matthew 24:2). We believe Jesus was predicting the destruction of Jerusalem in 70ad. So much for “forever!” So much for lasting security and safety!
Bottom line: There is no safety and security independent of a HEART AFTER GOD.
PS: I want to offer these additional words, not because I wish to perpetuate a dogma, or presume to settle the theological debate over the “security of the believer.” I only suggest that we consider a possible flaw in the debate. I think both sides would agree with Jesus’ words—“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28). That’s the promise. So the argument should not surround whether or not one of His sheep can be lost. I think that can cause the argument to bark up the wrong tree. Instead the focus should be, WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL QUALITIES (QUALIFICATIONS) FOR BEING ONE OF HIS SHEEP? The preceding verse answers that question—“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:29). There’s the condition—a HEART AFTER GOD. Is this a valid point? You decide.