Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good evening, special people.

It’s way past my bedtime. We just returned home from Portland where, among other things, we listened to a lecture by a highly educated doctor in the field of neurology and philosophy attempting to give some scientific-sounding explanation for how things like community and morality develop on the treadmill of social evolution. Of course, it’s all in denial of any Creator Deity—but then she extols the wisdom, miracles, and marvels of “Mother Nature.” If Mother Nature is so supernatural, how can she not be deity? Anyway, my head is hurting on two counts—there’s that godless approach to life and meaning, but also infection is hammering the surgical wound on the top of my head—and it hurts. Now I have to do antibiotics. Phooey!

The reading today features the “Lawgiver and Judge” which these secularists totally deny. How can they be so sure there are no moral absolutes? That quip makes a lot of sense to me—“If there is no God, all things are permissible.”

I better get to bed. Blessings. Good night.

Love, Dad/Ray.

In a world that is riddled and splintered by an overwhelming spectrum of man’s perspectives, opinions, and choices, I‘m finding this reminder very encouraging—“There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge (condemn) your neighbor?”

If these words are true, the One who has the last word concerning every issue, the final decision to every controversy, the absolute answer to every question, the complete solution to every mystery, is also the One who determines final destiny—like ETERNAL DESTINY! Perhaps the last part of that verse could be appropriately paraphrased something like this: “Based on these facts, who in the world do you think you are to use yourself as the standard of measurement and pose as one capable and qualified to pass right judgments on other people when you are so flawed at making right judgments about yourself?!”

Think about it. And as you do, please agree with me that it makes a lot of sense to diligently seek this Sovereign Lawgiver and Judge, and to know something about His laws and standards for judgment, with a desire to please Him. Above all else—DON’T MAKE HIM MAD! YOUR ETERNAL DESTINY HANGS ON HIS PLEASURE OR DISPLEASURE. Strangely and sadly, that thesis right there makes a lot of people mad! But, so what?! It doesn’t change anything—except to confirm rebellion against the Lawgiver. I may be kind of biased here, but I think one needs to look no further than their Bible in order to clarify the boundaries of the Sovereign’s pleasure and displeasure. Of course one must decide for himself, but for me, I have decided that this body of inspired writing represents a source of authority that trumps all other human opinions (…even those human opinions concerning its authority and authenticity). I’ll cite only one promised benefit of this pursuit: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (right relationship with the “one Lawgiver and Judge”), for they will be filled (satisfied, eternally blessed)” (Matthew 5:6).