2001-07-12 - Back to Solid
Food
Heb 5:13-14 For everyone who partakes only of milk is
not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14
But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses
trained to discern good and evil. (NAS)
Everyone who has been a Christian for a time has a favorite verse or
passage or a favorite story from the Bible. There is Moses and the plagues
against Egypt and parting the Red Sea, Solomon's wisdom in discerning which
woman was the mother of the disputed child, the battle of Jericho, the visits
of Gabriel to Elizabeth and to Mary, the resurrection morning, breakfast
on the beach with Jesus and His disciples after the resurrection and the
unveiling of the new Jerusalem.
If you ask the vast majority for their favorite story, it will be a story
of a victorious event, or one of the many promises to believers of eternal
life and deliverance. These can be argued as the milk of the Word. While
these points are very important and foundational, they are easy to
understand and accept. We as believers have a great many things to look
forward to after this life ends and we are home in Heaven. Just beneath the
surface of these truths are deeper connections to other truths perhaps
not as obvious - the Trinity for example.
There are other things that are not so gladly accepted at the surface. We
are promised that we will partake in the suffering of Christ as we stand
with Him. James was martyred. John was exiled to the prison work camp on
Patmos. Israel was led into captivity at the hands of pagan Babylon. There
are the passages of instruction from Paul that give the guidelines for
relationships with family, other believers and the world, dietary regulation,
and the call of God on the life of a believer. These instructional passages
are tedious at times, but they contain a large body of important information.
These are the meat of the Word.
The victories are not unlike desert or a favorite snack. However the real
nourishment comes from the entrees. While they can be appreciated, they are
not the tasty sweets. It is important to try different things as a Christian
grows. Even if nothing strikes you from a few pages of scripture - ask a
friend or friends for their insights. Don't be disappointed if there seems
to be nothing in a passage for you. God will reveal new things to you as
other verses and concepts are added to your understanding of the Bible. Just
like calculus is not obvious to a 3rd grader, but becomes clear to a
college freshman - the Bible will grow in depth and span as you sample
the meat of the word with an open mind.
2 Tim 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to
God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the
word of truth. (NAS)
Lord Jesus - give patience and willing hearts to each
of us as we read your word to us. You will be teaching us until the end of
the ages and beyond. Open our hearts and our minds to the things You have
for us. Amen.
Grace & Peace,
Mike
jmhoskins@gmail.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org |