Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Hello, dear ones.
The weather looks to be improving. Becki and I did an earlier walk/jog with the two dogs and two balls. We’re learning better how to coordinate that activity so as to work around Dandy’s jealousy and covetousness. He can’t stand to see us throw a ball for Hondo and not chase it—even though he has one in his mouth. We just have to make sure we throw for Hondo when Dandy’s not looking.
Oh, no—Thano just came in with a request that I help troubleshoot his wood splitter engine. He’s thinking something broke inside the motor. Just what we need. Oh well. That’s life around here.
We have car issues to deal with today too. We definitely need wisdom and guidance. And our ongoing prayer is, “Lord—help us to know how to best help Thano.” We don’t see him as capable of full independence.
Work is waiting. Blessings on your own work today.Love, Dad/Ray.
Here’s a question for you to ponder: Based on your current perspectives and beliefs, would you be irritated or think it unjust to find Judas in heaven? Here’s another question: If Judas doesn’t make it, would he be irritated or think it unjust if he were able to see that you made it?
I’m thinking of one man who would not likely be irritated to find Judas in heaven—the guy who composed the words to AMAZING GRACE—John Newton. We sing that song often, but I wonder if the exclamation of that first verse penetrates our hearts and minds as deeply as it should. “Amazing grace—how sweet the sound—that saved a wretch like me!” A what? A WRETCH! Like who? Like ME! Ouch!
Just to clarify the word, I looked it up in the dictionary. “WRETCH—1. An unfortunate, unhappy, or miserable person. 2. A wicked or despicable person.” That particular definition does not mention remorse or GUILT—but they have to be there. What a terrible condition to live with. Man—that’s hell! In fact, I’m inclined to believe that this very condition is one that helps to make hell so hellish—the guilt and remorse of it all—recognizing one’s past stupidity, those missed opportunities, those selfish choices against truth, rejecting God and doing wrong when His reality and general will are so clear. “Why was I so stupid? Why did I rebel? Why didn’t I pay attention? Why didn’t I want to do what I knew was right?”—etc., etc., etc.—on and on it goes for a very long time.
I will not presume or insist that Judas makes it to heaven. But neither will I presume or insist that he doesn’t. I firmly believe, however, that Sovereign God has it all figured out—and that He is absolutely just in all His judgments—and amazingly gracious. The main cause for my wonder about Judas flows out of the idea that the Biblical Gospel begins with sin—the need for recognition and confession thereof. And here in our FOCUS VERSE we have Judas profoundly acknowledging just that—confessing, “I have sinned.” He goes on to spell it out—“…for I have betrayed innocent blood.”
Furthermore, I am reluctant to absolutely condemn Judas for his act of suicide—even though, in principle, I would condemn the act of suicide. But whereas I don’t really understand everything that goes on within my own body that makes my life happen—the precise relationships between brain, nerves, tissues, and systems—how then can I claim to understand absolutely everything that goes on between the psychology of a sinner and the Sovereign Savior? The precise degree of personal responsibility that God assigns to a particular acute case of clinical depression is entirely up to Him and His AMAZING GRACE.