“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 to all good works.”
I know this is not a very popular concept these days, and probably never has been. I’m sure we would all rather be the one sitting in a restaurant being served than the one who is actually doing the serving. I assume that those in service positions would be the first to agree with this statement, considering the way some people treat them.
Of course the point of my writing this is not about restaurants, It’s actually about the church. Unfortunately, I have seen and known many who profess to be Christians and faithfully attend church, yet are possibly the worst customers one could imagine. Year after year they show up once a week, demand a good seat, complain about the service and entertainment, and then begrudgingly leave a tip, or perhaps not. The worst part is that they seem to leave in the same state as they were when they came in.
Now I know that we all need to be “fed” spiritually, just as we do physically, but my point is that after a little while you would think that they would learn to feed themselves, during the week, so as to get the nutrition that they need to grow on. When they try to get all of their fulfillment out of one hour of spiritual milk on weekends, It’s no wonder they leave church feeling dissatisfied.
Of course, as newborn babes we should desire the sincere milk of the word, that we may grow thereby. [1 Peter 2:2] But there also should come a time when we no longer have to be bottle fed. We should mature enough to pick up God’s precious words of life in our own hands, so that the Holy Spirit can speak to us personally through His word.
If all the spiritual nutrition you are getting is an hour or two a week, then indeed you are still on milk, not solid food. [1 Corinthians 3:1-3] In fact, some of you ought to be teachers by now, but you still only come to the table once a week to hear the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. Do you still need milk, not solid food? Anyone who lives on milk is still an infant in Christ and is not acquainted with the teaching of righteousness. [Hebrews 5:12-14]
If one were getting all the spiritual nutrition needed, then they would probably remember that Christ himself came to earth to serve, not to be served. [Mark 10:45] He spent all His time on earth ministering to the needs of others, with the only exception being when He went to a solitary place to spend time with His Father. [Mark 1:35] I urge everyone to follow Christ’s example and be filled by the Spirit all through the week, so that you are always well fed and ready for service.
In the body of Christ every member is a minister. We need to live each and every day as mature members who are able to push away from the table to serve the hundreds whom we encounter that are hungry and thirsty in this world. Then we will be filled with the kind of love and compassion that Jesus had, and always meet every physical need within our means like He did. Then at last the world will see a perfect example of the Body of Christ, and we will see an abundance of fruit, and a plentiful harvest.
To God be the Glory! Amen