What Are We Going To Eat?
Been to the grocery stores lately? Notice the near empty shelves? Perhaps when you viewed the shelves, or had to make alternate selections, the question that makes up the title of this article becomes more real. Of course, most of us do not even know what it is like to be truly hungry. Despite the current issues, situations and areas of concern, we are still blessed to be a part of the greatest nation on earth.
But all this is physical in nature. The shelves that are not stocked are missing food for our physical bodies. These foods we eat as well as the freedoms we enjoy and are so abundantly available are part of what God has provided for us and these are designed for our physical success.
Have you ever considered this question from a Spiritual standpoint? As you may have realized, we need spiritual nourishment as much, if not more than we require physical sustenance. Christ knew this and His reply to the tempter in Luke 4:4 shows He knew which was of most importance. It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. Our Lord was indeed physically hungry as He had not eaten for quite a while. Luke 4:2 tells us how long this had been. Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
Another event in the life of Jesus helps is to see that even when food for the body was available, the Lord remained focused on that “spiritual” food from the Father. In John 4:32 He told His disciples that He had access to that food at all times. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Then, as we look at verse 34 we see what it is that sustained our Lord even when He was hungry, being persecuted and even as He died. Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
In Acts 14:17 as Paul and Barnabas plead with the people of Lystra not to do sacrifice to them for the miracle of healing the lame man, the Spirit had Luke the physician record the Words the Spirit gave Paul at that time. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. Now, we are all aware that physical food does not “fill our heart”, but “spiritual” food does fill our Bible heart, the mind. 1Timothy 4:6is clear evidence of this. The Spirit had Paul write this to Timothy. The preacher, minister and teacher also must maintain a proper spiritual diet to be effective. This is equally true today as it was when written. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
The Spirit also had Paul direct the Ephesian elders in Acts chapter 20 how to properly sustain the brethren among whom they labored for the benefit of all their souls. In Acts 20:26-28 we also see that Paul, in service to God had set the proper example by “feeding” them. We also see the “dish” the Spirit had Paul serve up. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Peter was also directed in 1Peter 5:1-3 to instruct some elders as to their responsibilities to the congregation with whom they serve. They were also to set the proper example and have the correct spiritual diet. They could not do what the Lord desired of them if they did not. The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
When the Spirit had Paul write the church at Corinth, He had Paul address a dietary issue the brethren there had in 1Corinthians 3:1-2. It seems they hadn’t grown spiritually as they should have and couldn’t digest spiritual meat. And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. All Christians are to grow as they are nourished spiritually. Some don’t. All Christians are to grow to the point that they can properly teach others. In Hebrews 5:12-13 we are told that some of these Christians hadn’t reached that point. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
What are we going to eat? That is entirely up to us. God has provided the food. 2Timothy 2:15 tells us how to consume the Spiritual nutrition God has provided. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Eat up and Enjoy!
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
