Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Hello, nice people.
Good to get back home. We hit home yesterday in time for me to get in a little old man nap before running to Pheasant Pointe for the Gospel Sing at 3pm.
I think I’ll try to knock out a jog before I take off to a 9am appointment at an eye clinic in Clackamas. We’ll see what comes of that exam. I don’t think I have any significant trouble there. I’m kind of submitting to Becki who thinks I should have the exam. Maybe she’s concerned about me getting so mad I can’t see straight. Just kidding.
I hope I can resolve the breakdown on my mill today. Sure need to be using that machine.
Blessings on your day.
Love, Dad/Ray.
As you well know, there is a good deal of controversy that accompanies Christian doctrine. Of particular heat is the issue that grapples with this question: “Can a person be lost after he has been saved?” Those who support the persuasion of NO often quote from Jesus’ words from John 10:27-28 when He talks about the security of His sheep. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” The other side may argue, “But if a man, after being saved, runs back into deep dark sin and dies while participating in a drunken orgy, how can you say he is saved?” The “security” people will then respond, “Well, that only shows that he was never really saved in the first place.” In the minds of many, that settles it. However, my worry is that those who get all caught up in this debate on that level are missing the whole point. The question should not be, “Can a man be lost who was once saved?” but “What are the qualities and requirements for being one of His sheep?” That is more deserving of our focus, because filling that status absolutely guarantees salvation. A couple features are clear in John 10 concerning His sheep:
- His sheep listen to His voice.
- His sheep follow Him.
I’m also convinced that the condition of being His sheep is the same as being His disciple. Contained in today’s reading, Jesus provides some important insight into what that means. “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” So, what is a disciple of Christ?
- One who knows and adheres to the teaching of Christ and His Word.
- One who is set free from the controls and consequences of sin.
Why is this an important issue to address? Once again, my take is that only His sheep are the saved sheep—only disciples go to heaven. I really don’t see any clear and reasonable interpretation of these words of Jesus that would allow it to be otherwise.
but still wants time to think about it.”