Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good NOON, dear people.

Of course, I hope you have a good after-NOON too.

I faced a terrible discovery last evening while doing a little bit of sawmill work—one of the rubber tracks on my track hoe is breaking. I did a good deal of research this morning to find a match. Not cheap. I finally landed on a decision for $1525. This one time we’ll have to lean on a credit card.

I did a little bit of sawing for a guy this morning who is restoring an old Model T dump truck. Don’t see many of them anymore. Of course, old stuff wears out and eventually disappears—like me. I admit it—I’m on my way out. But this Biblical perspective doesn’t allow me to get very depressed over it.

Blessings on your wearing out.

Love, Dad/Ray.

You have probably heard the quip that says, “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.” It’s a catchy line, and partially true, but not entirely so in my judgment. I behold a lot of people taking a stand on what I have to judge as stupid—and it only compounds things and primes them to fall for more stupid (e.g., “Save the owls and kill the babies!”) I can’t see that it’s adequate to select just any ideology that meets one’s subjective fancy and park there. I have to believe that the pursuit of truth is a lot safer.

On the other hand, just because something is believed to be true does not necessarily make it true. And one of the best ways to scrutinize a “truth” for truth is to ask, “What if it is not true?” In regards to the text before us, if this Gospel is not true, I can’t see where we who embrace it have lost anything as it plays out to yield so much good—love, joy, peace, purpose, hope, and the like. But if it is true, then those who reject it, or casually treat it, have lost in a huge way. I’m also reminded that no one, to my knowledge, has ever repented of being a serious follower of Christ on their death bed—like, “Oh, phooey—I regret believing this Gospel of Christ stuff for so much of my life when I could have spent more time being selfish, getting drunk, and chasing women!”

I have come to believe passionately that this New Testament Gospel that Paul defines is not only true but is the best news that has ever hit this planet. The Author of this Gospel has clearly designed it to be both conditional and foundational to the building of a sound life—meaning that it’s not enough to just hear it, respect it, and casually accept it. It must be believed, integrated into every part of one’s life, and maintained. Paul goes on to affirm, “By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain” (v. 2)—or “believed with no real benefit.” That means that not all faiths are equal—in the same way that “NOT ALL THAT GLITTERS IS GOLD.” Please pay attention to the “if.” Note also that this Gospel is conditional and foundational to eternal life—which is that positive state of conscious living existence following physical death.

Paul laces a popular quip into his argument—“Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” In so many words, I think he is intending to say, “If you fail to take your stand on this Gospel, the emptiness and meaninglessness contained in that quip is all you get—all you have left!” Oh, yippee!—what a high quality motivation for living!

Paul adds still another quip—“Bad company corrupts good character.” We would have no difficulty citing examples to support that statement. But turn it around and it’s also valid—IF we will prioritize company (relationship) with a Good God (A HEART AFTER GOD) and with those who seek Him, good character (and a good eternal destiny) will result. Here is a wonderfully sound place to take your stand.