Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Do you see a problem here? Commands are given in this statement that are virtually impossible to implement and enforce on a collective basis. In fact, they are virtually impossible to implement and enforce even on an individual basis by means of shear human determination only—independent of being transformed and empowered by the Spirit of God. For example, if a person has a long-standing habit of being ruled by their feelings, with a strong pull in the direction of fear, how effective or corrective would it be for me to say to them, “Do not be afraid?” Furthermore, if a person (or group persons) has a long-standing habit of being ruled by their NATURAL SIN NATURE (as described by Jeremiah 17: 9), what good would it do to issue a command to “Speak the truth to each other?” And what emotion is more difficult to channel by disciplined human willpower than the emotion of LOVE? So when a person who has no conscience against telling lies and distorting truth so as to benefit or protect themselves—and who loves “darkness rather than light” (John 3:19)—what benefit would likely be rendered from telling that person, “Do not love to swear falsely?”

I’m having a burst of shocking inspiration—YOU AND I DESPERATELY NEED HOPELESSNESS! That thesis should grab some attention. Of course it needs clarification. The object of one’s HOPE is the crux that establishes the validity of the thesis—and the two primary alternatives are MAN (you) or GOD. It is HOPELESS for men to believe that if they can just fine-tune and control the various facets of society, then they can achieve a perfect (utopian) society. If they can just pass and post laws, rules, and regulations like a secular version of THE TEN COMMANDMENTS they can then stand back and watch peace and equity reign. Come on—that’s HOPELESS! It doesn’t really matter how nice and noble a society or culture intends to be, the fact remains that all of human history is an endless cycle of tragedy and atrocity—with a few pleasant interludes mixed in here and there. And what’s true of society is also true of you and me personally. It is a HOPELESS notion that if you and I will only try hard enough we can actually live the God-pleasing Christian life all by ourselves. It can’t happen. Very likely you’ve tried it. It’s impossible and HOPELESS. If men could do that on their own, then Christ died in vain—and there would be no need for God. But the fact is that the only One in the universe who can live the Christian life is Christ. And that’s precisely why Paul exclaims that the only solution available is “CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY” (Colossians 1:27).

But we still have a problem here. Not only can you or I not achieve balanced perfection on our own, neither will God alone make that happen by forced robotic remote control. It’s not just a matter of one or the other—MAN or GOD. This is still HOPELESS. A special relationship is required—as in marriage. It’s a blending—a partnership where we have the opportunity to engage as “God's fellow workers” (1 Corinthians 3:9). It’s a matter of MAN and GOD where the MAN side chooses a HEART AFTER GOD as his standard for living. Not only is there HOPE in this arrangement, it comes with a promised guarantee—“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).