2016 picture of Ray Sparre

Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67



These devotional messages are personalized as messages to Ray's granddaughter, Samara.

13 January 2017

Hello, Samara.

I don’t think I have time to do a jog this morning. We need to get on with a plan to get new passport photos taken and renewal applications submitted. There really isn’t that much time between now and March.

I hope you have a great day. And I hope to hear from you again.

Love, Tua.


Proverbs 13
Focus: “The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.” Proverbs 13:5.

Are Christians supposed to hate? Yes—they most definitely are! The big technicality is, however, to determine WHAT they are to hate.

Before going further with this let’s raise this question: Does the Biblical God hate? Most definitely He does! “What?!”, someone might exclaim. “Are you telling me that this ‘GOD OF LOVE’ actually hates?” Yup! For an example of this fact, review again the 7 things God specifically hates recorded in Proverbs 6:16-19.

Furthermore, the cross of Christ proves that God hates SIN and judges it as a big deal—as very serious business. It’s very sad, on the other hand, to recognize how many people do not view SIN as a big deal—and think it’s no big deal to play around with it—and even mock people who view it as a big deal.

So, what are Christians to hate? The answer is simple—but very important—representing another concept that you should get nailed down in your heart and mind as early in your life as possible. Let’s put it this way: HATE WHAT GOD HATES—AND LOVE WHAT GOD LOVES. Bingo! I believe that’s a simple overview of victorious Biblical Christianity in a nutshell.

People who comply with this standard for living become radiant LIGHT—which cannot be hid.

“The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.”
~ Proverbs 13:9 ~