Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear people.

Lots of things happening today. And it’s a beautiful day for happenings. Becki and I already did a walk/jog happening. While doing that, it happened again—Dandy lost his ball.

I need to finish up a chainsaw carving—a watch dog—a dog looking at a wrist watch on his left paw—thus, a watch dog. Then I think I need to locate more saw logs to fill an order for materials for a customer’s remodel, submit a structural drawing, render some sign layouts, and find a solution for my ailing computer printer. Wish I could just go fishing. But there’s no money in fishing.

The last half sentence of today’s reading is actually a complete thought—“And what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.” It occurs to me that that statement accurately describes me and my physical frame. I’m thankful for a faith that sees beyond that disappearance.

Keep looking up. Our redemption is closer than ever!

Love, Dad/Ray.

It’s hard for me to imagine going back to using an old typewriter again—not after becoming acquainted with this computer. Electronic and Cyber mail via the internet is pushing the former use of the postal and landline telephone systems to the brink of obsolete. I remember my first acquisition and use of a GPS (Global Positioning Satellite system) in Vanuatu. Wow! What a leap ahead—out-stripping the old-fashioned methods of navigation! And now, my current cell phone even does GPS—besides functioning as a camera for both still photos and video. The list of examples could go on and on. Modern technology certainly has a way of making old stuff obsolete.

The word “obsolete” is found in our reading—describing the superiority of the NEW covenant under Christ as compared with the OLD covenant under Moses. “He (Christ) has made the first one OBSOLETE” (8:13).

I run the risk of being repetitious, but I’d like to draw your attention once again to the wonderful pronouncement of Colossians 1:27 because it so well represents the superiority of the NEW covenant of Christ. The OLD was characterized by an emphasis on the external observance of laws, codes, and sacrifices for sins. But the NEW is internal with the emphasis being “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” It makes possible the OLD prophecy quoted here, “I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts” (8:10). Indeed, to walk in this newness of life is our only means to living free from fulfilling the old-man lusts of the flesh (Romans 6:4; Galatians 5:16).

Let’s not even think about returning to the OLD notion that we can be saved or made right by means of religious legalism. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). It is good NEW Testament advice to PRACTICE HIS PRESENCE. That is, in fact, the NEW Testament in action—achieving real victory over sin, self, and Satan.