Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear people.

I’m seeing quite clear conditions from this dirty window. Hey—could we make that into a lesson: THE REALITY OF TRUTH OUTSHINES A DIRTY FILTER. Whatever.

Hurry mode is back with me. I need to be at a barn about 9am so I can apply some graphics to a big rig truck tractor. Pause. I just received a call from the truck owner. He’s running late, so my hurry level was just reduced. Now I’ll shoot for 10am.

I face some work I was not intending. It results from my damaging my mill while moving it into the mill shed last night in near dark conditions. Silly me—I left the adjustable blade guide arm out so that it protruded beyond the chassis of the mill and I banged it into one of the posts. Bummer! I’ll have to do a weld repair and some careful adjusting.

You probably never have setbacks. I already know that’s a false statement. But even with the twists and turns of unpredictable life in a fallen world, we are wise to be devoted to the pleasure of the One Who made us—and redeemed us. And everyone said, “AMEN!”

Love, Dad/Ray.

I want to offer some further comments on paraphrase Bible translations. I don’t have a problem with them—as long as they are not in conflict with our best understanding of the original texts. In fact, I think they are good and helpful. Furthermore, I believe that every believer is required to do paraphrases of their own. That is, every believer is called upon to take the essential meaning of the revealed word of God and paraphrase it into practical living by their own thinking and acting. This approach is entirely compatible with the dictionary definition of “paraphrase”—“A restatement of a text or passage in another form or other words, often to clarify meaning.” The way I see it, your Christian life is a paraphrased version of the Bible. Can you imagine how confusing and conflicting things could be if we were caught up with assigning versions to our Christian lives? “I do my Christian living in KJV. What’s your version?” “I used to do it in ASV, then I shifted over to NIV.” “Well, I start the day doing an AMPLIFIED Christian life, but by evening I’m back doing the LIVING BIBLE.” Good grief! That’s crazy! In this regard, the very best, most accurate, most reliable version is the HEART AFTER GOD translation!—translating Biblical revelation into practical demonstration. My reasoning says that if that is not the end result, the particular medium of the revelation is irrelevant.

Anyway—I want to attempt a paraphrase of this focus verse and its context as I understand it. I believe Paul is essentially saying, “My main objective as an appointed herald and apostle of this Gospel is to inspire, challenge, and help people everywhere to hook up to the life-changing and life-cleansing Spirit of God through Christ so as to become people who are truly holy (i.e., set apart for God’s purpose and pleasure) and able to worship God in spirit and in truth, free of anger and argumentation with God or man.” That is certainly not a bad quest. And it is certainly not just Paul’s individual quest. It is also God’s (and should be ours) as stated in verses 3 and 4: “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (which results in holiness).

Let’s be reminded that holiness is not optional. It was a recent reading in Hebrews that presented a similar message. “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 11:14). You and I both know that this is no snap and simple matter. But still it’s NOT OPTIONAL. Let’s repeat—there is only one way it can be achieved—“Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

“Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the LORD your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the LORD, who makes you holy” (Leviticus 20:7-8).

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).

Do you agree?—this is important!