The Legacy of Stan Spaulding - A Shining Example of a Real Christian Man

Last Saturday, we remembered and celebrated the long (98 years) rich life of our most Senior Elder and Brother in Christ, Stan Spaulding. I have no doubt that the very first thing Stan heard after he was transformed "in the twinkling of an eye" was his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ saying "Well done, my Good and Faithful Servant!" Now enter into your glorious eternal reward I prepared for you before the beginning of the world” (followed by being reunited with his beloved Fran and the applause of Heaven).

However, Stan also leaves behind a golden legacy, a shining example of what a real Christian man looks like, lives like, and even does like, an example we Christians (especially Christian men) so desperately need and so rarely have in this increasingly apostate world

There is a very special adjective used in the Scriptures to describe a man like Stan, to distinguish a person whose faithful walk with God, while not perfect, is so personal, humble, consistent, and exceptional as to be denoted “blameless.” A few Biblical references best illustrate what “blameless” means in this context.

Genesis 6:9 "Noah was a righteous man, "blameless"... and he walked with God." Job 1:1 "... was "blameless" and upright, he feared God and shunned evil." Psalm 19:13 "Keep your servant (David) also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be "blameless", innocent of great transgression. Psalm 26:1 "... I have led a "blameless" life; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering." Proverbs 11:20 "... But He [the Lord] delights in those whose ways are "blameless." Philippians 1:9-10 "And this is my prayer, that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may live pure and "blameless" lives until Christ returns."

What does the Lord require of us to see us as "blameless" (not perfect – sinless)? "To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God" (Micah 6:8).

Stan was also a man of learning and education, with a Master's Degree in Science, and also an ardent lifelong student of the Bible. I had the distinct privilege and blessing of knowing Stan as a friend, mentor, and Senior Brother in Christ for more than 24 of the 50 years he consistently and "blamelessly" served Jesus at Tustin First Baptist Church, now known as Grace Harbor Church & School.

I can honestly say regarding my Brother Stan what the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy as Paul's death was imminent, Stan would have also first admonished us to "Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently rebuke and encourage your brothers with good teaching” [emphasis Stan's] (2 Timothy 4:2).

Then (as slightly paraphrased and expanded by me) - : "... {Stan's] life has already been poured out as a [love] offering to God. [Stan] fought the good fight, he finished the race, and remained faithful "blameless" to his last breath. And now, [Stan] has the prize – the Crown of Righteousness that the Lord, the Righteous Judge, Jesus Christ, prepared to give him before the beginning of the world." (2 Timothy 4:6-8, paraphrased and modified).

Well done, my friend and Brother. Thank you for giving your life to the Lord's service, and to the body of believers, past, present, and future of Grace Harbor Church & School, as an eternal living sacrifice, Holy and "blameless", and to the glory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. You are greatly missed.

John Adams

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