The Bible: Not an IV line!
When asked the old party game icebreaker “What three books would you want to have if stranded on a desert island?” most surveys still report the Bible in the number one spot. This is both encouraging yet curious. When we look at our North American societies in general we do not see the things of God having priority, yet it seems that, when in a pinch (stranded on a desert island), we acknowledge it might be good to have God in one’s back pocket, so to speak.
Last week I was invited to have my name added to a clergy resource list in case frustrated folk stranded in hotel isolation felt the need for online spiritual support. Evidently there was some supposition that when folk are in exigency they just might be moved to look up to the heavens for help.
But the Word of God was never intended as a “In case of extremity, break glass” sort of read. The Word of God is not an IV line for the dying, but daily bread for the living! “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,” writes Peter (1 Pet. 2:2).
When tempted by Satan Jesus Himself cited the scriptures and answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matt. 4:4 / Deut. 8:3).
Paul scolded the Corinthians: “Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.” (1 Cor. 3:1-2).
Likewise the Hebrew were reprimanded for not feeding on God and growing spiritually,
“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” (Heb. 5:12-14).
The Bible is God’s message to us. We must digest it daily!
Press on…
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