By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Good food from God, part 1
pastor corner

One of the most disturbing things a person can see is something and someone who has failed to develop.

Many relief organizations show pictures of children who have failed to grow because of a lack of nourishment. It touches hearts and people are inclined to assist in helping them to feed those children.

As disturbing as such pictures are, there is something more terrible. That is a lack of spiritual growth. Each Christian needs to be growing spiritually. Peter wrote, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18). Some seem to take the denominational view of this passage and just “believe” it will happen. This is a false view and one that will lead to spiritual malnutrition.

Spiritual growth and physical growth have a lot in common. Just as there are essential elements to physical growth, there are essentials to physical growth. For proper physical growth food is important.

Most young parents listen to a doctor about when to feed and what to feed their new arrival. When the new baby arrives, everyone understands that milk is needed for the first months of its life (a side lesson here is how wonderful the Creator is as He provides for mother to produce the food the baby needs).

Proper spiritual growth also demands food, and the right kind of food. Again, God has provided the food.

“I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world ... This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live forever” (John 6:48 – 58). All Christians especially young Christians need to learn more about Jesus. Learning about Jesus, the prophecies concerning His coming, His birth, His ministry while He was on the earth, His death and resurrection all help ground the new Christian. Even older Christians have their “spiritual taste buds” tempted by such a study of subjects. Peter wrote, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby:” (1 Peter 2:2). The Bible given by God, supplies the food needed for proper spiritual growth. “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:” (2 Peter 1:3). “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21). Paul wrote, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim.3:16, 17).

Eating food that is tainted will make one physically sick, and partaking of “tainted” spiritual food can make one spiritually sick.

To be continued.

Sign up for our E-Newsletters