Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Good morning, special ones.
I’m still kind of perspiring from my jog. I did so alone again. Becki has risen with a belly crisis that requires her to be close to the little room. It’s so intense that the room may not be quite close enough.
So far it appears that Taffy is handling her 11 babies OK. I’m taking a glance over into the box to see that wiggling little pile of kittens. They seem to be at peace without any crying at present—while Taffy has stepped out to eat some food from her dish.
Lots to do. I’m sure you too. Let’s hit it!
Love, Dad/Ray.
Can you imagine a preacher standing before a congregation and beginning his message like this: “The sincere aim and goal of my message to you today is to prompt your death!?” Lots of mouths would probably drop open at the initial shock of those words. But anyone with knowledge of the New Testament and the spiritual realities it presents would soon get the point. After all, the most commonly practiced ordinance of the church following conversion is baptism—a representation of the kind of death Christ came to offer. Indeed, the Gospel essentially presents to us the opportunity to die—to become “dead to sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:11). And when it is all said and done, it is not only the responsibility of a Gospel preacher to help make us die, it is our own. It is our own personal heart-level responsibility to respond decisively to this wonderful opportunity afforded us in the Gospel. Be reminded of how Paul began chapter 12: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices (all sacrifices die in one way or another…and don’t get up from the altar to carry on with life and business as usual), holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2).
Let’s look again at the Focus verse. Paul presents himself “to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering (sacrifice) acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” However we process this expression, let’s not mistake the central theme: GOD WANTS YOU DEAD!—DEAD TO SIN AND ALIVE TO GOD—HE WANTS US ALL TO OFFER OURSELVES TOTALLY TO HIM—SO AS TO BE TRANSFORMED ON THE INSIDE BY THE POWER AND INFLUENCE OF HIS SPIRIT. That goes for everyone—both Jews and Gentiles.
May you die a blessed life-changing death—so that you may REALLY LIVE.