Spiritual Nourishment

Knowing God’s will; that seems to be the great mystery to many a Christian. We studied that last Sunday in Bible study. Volumes have been written on it. In fact, I’m working on just such a book. Part of the mystery was unlocked for our church at least in our pastor’s latest sermon. I wonder how many in attendance even caught the clue. Pastor Brunet said, “Doing the will of God is how I am spiritually fed.”

He was preaching from John 4 when Jesus was met by His disciples after talking to the woman at the well. The disciples had gone into the city Sychar to get some food and upon their return urged Jesus to eat. The Lord told them He had “food to eat of which you do not know.” Again they missed the point; Christ was talking about spiritual food. Nevertheless, Jesus cleared up their confusion:

    “Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.’” (John 4:34)

Jesus’ life purpose was to do His father’s will. Throughout His ministry, His eyes were forever on the cross. He knew His life mission was to redeem mankind back to its Creator, God in Heaven. I wonder after Jesus ascended into Heaven if the Disciples reflected back on Jesus’ words at Jacob’s well and during the Last Supper:

    “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” (John 17:4)

Christians have all they need to live the Christian life through the indwelling Holy Spirit and the Bible. When we read the Bible and listen to the Holy Spirit’s prompting, we can know the Father’s will. During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told us not to worry and yet we worry. He told us that we cannot serve God and riches and yet we seek the latter far more than the former. Our Lord instructed us to lay up treasures in heaven instead of on earth, and we run up huge debt buying that which moths and rust can destroy and thieves can steal. Jesus made it clear what we are to do:

    “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

Jesus is teaching us to prioritize our efforts in seeking a fulfilling life. Our Lord did not condemn material possessions; He condemned idolizing them. Jesus wants us to put Him first in all things. When we do that, the joy and happiness we seek in this life will come to us in greater abundance than we could ever imagine:

    “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10b)

The abundant life is found in serving Christ. We spiritually starve ourselves when we neglect reading our Bibles, spending time in prayer, serving in our local church, and sharing the gospel. I doubt seriously that any Christian would deny these are clearly things Jesus wants us to do. So if we know the will of God, and if we are spiritually fed by doing the will of God, then why are we not doing the will of God?

If we are pursuing Christlikeness, then we need to be like Christ. Christlikeness is not a destination; it is a journey:

    “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

The problem for many Christians is they believe they have apprehended Christlikeness (if they are actually pursuing it). However, the Apostle Paul said he did not believe he had become complete in Christ. if the greatest church planter in Christendom did not attain it, I’m confident in stating none of us have either. That means we need to stop dwelling on our past achievements and keep our eyes on the prize.

My spiritual health suffers when I ignore the clear teachings of Jesus Christ. if I do not read my Bible; do not spend time meditating on God’s Word; do not spend time in pray; do not serve in my church; or do not share the gospel, then I am spiritually starving myself.

That means I am spiritually malnourished and I am ineffective for the Kingdom of God.

Lord Jesus, let it no longer be so.

In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4

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    Copyright © 2014 David Jeffers

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