Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Hello, good people.

Just remember what the standard is for good. It’s not you—or me. Sorry—that was purely impulse.

Becki is preparing to go lead a Bible Study at the local Senior Center. A friend asked Becki to fill in for her while she’s on a trip.

I need to get out to the mill and crank out some cedar lumber for another project.

Earlier we did a walk/jog on our place. It’s a bit of a challenge to coordinate the ball-throwing so as to keep both dogs active without a confrontation. We have to rely on a lot of faking.

Have a wonderful day—a blessed one.

Love, Dad/Ray.

Before I respond to Peter’s very good exclamation, I want to call your attention to verse 66. “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” Notice this is the 6th chapter. So the address is 6:66. 666? While this may be entirely coincidental, I think the shoe fits. (Read Matthew 12:30.) Anyway, before we get all preoccupied with the “Anti-Christ” mystery number of 666 in the Revelation disclosure, let’s make sure we pay careful attention to the “spirit of anti-Christ” that works like a default setting when we fail to seek Christ and His Lordship.

Now—back to Peter’s response to Jesus’ question put to His inner circle of disciples—“You do not want to leave too, do you?” (v. 67). Peter seems to be the “speaker of the house”—“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God” (vv. 68-69).

There really are a lot of options before us insofar as where we can go with our life goals and objectives. All kinds of religious ideologies would welcome wandering sheep into their fold. There is Baha’i, Buddhism, New Age, Islam, Hinduism, atheism, Satanism, Mormonism, Unity, and humanism, just to name a few—like booths set up in the marketplace that would open wide their arms to anyone yielding to their embrace.

I’m thinking right now that there are some important safeguards and valid questions to ask in trying to sort through the range of options. Maybe we could call it a checklist for screening the alternatives as to one’s life course:

1. Is this package of truth claims substantiated by respectable human experience? Are there credible role models that demonstrate its values?
2. Does it hold value only after death, or are there practical benefits in the present?
3. Is it verifiable and compatible with sound objective reasoning?
4. Is there convincing evidence of divine origins and approval?
5. Is it reasonably available and attainable by everyone?
6. Does it satisfy? Does it supply the benefits of peace, security, purpose, and hope?
7. Does it provide one with a passion and purpose to live and die for?
8. Are there consequences to rejection besides fear? What are they?

I don’t really know what Peter used as a screening checklist when Jesus asked his question, but I believe he answered well. His response sounds like an echo to what Jesus just said in verse 63: “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” And in John 8:31-32 Jesus stated, “If you hold to my teaching (My Words), you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”