GOODNEWS LETTER
Number 364 March 23, 2011
YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT
Part III
Every Bible student knows that any particular subject leads to a number of other truthful positions. Such is the case with this article. Originally, I wanted to show the fruit of the Holy Spirit as He is manifested within the life of a believer. In this third part, I am getting to it, finally. Praise God!
How is Christ manifested in my Christian life? What does it take to accomplish this heavenly calling? It's ongoing; from the beginning of salvation to a life of service. In each portion of service, we have to understand that eternal life only comes from Jesus. He not only lived, He lives, today.. "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the Father, but by Me," John 14:6.
Then, if we are to go to the Father and do His work, we must have Jesus abiding and living within us. His presence means work and fellowship. "If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, the He may abide with you forever," John 14:16-17.
At the reception of the Comforter, believers "are guided into all truth." By the word, He teaches us. "...whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak." We learn because the Comforter reveals truth. "He will show you things to come" (Jn 16:13). Clearly, we can't know the truth; nor, walk in the truth, without the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
Also, in John 16, Jesus makes this remarkable statement: "All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you." So, how do we manifest the life of Jesus? It comes when we are eating and drinking of Him.
When the Jews related the account of eating manna in the wilderness, Jesus gave them hope. "...Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He that cometh down from heaven, and giveth His life for the world," John 6:32-33.
Their excitment lasted only momentarily, however. "...Lord, evermore give us this bread" (Jn 6:34). After, a second or two, they started to murmur. "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph...? (Jn 6:42).
Nevertheless, Jesus offered them eternal life. "I am the bread of life...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" (Jn 6:48, 51).
Then, we go to the Lord's Supper. Observance of the Supper demands that we have eaten of Jesus (His words) beforehand. We have to ask ourselves: 'Do we have a living reception of His life with us before the Supper is taken?' 'Is His teaching taken into our hearts before the Supper?' And, 'Is there harmony between eating of Jesus; that is, living by His word, and observing the Supper?'
The Bible clearly says that a daily life of trusting in Jesus must be manifested if we observe the Supper, Scripturally. Paul wrote, "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come" (ICor. 11:26).
But, when we observe the Supper, an examination must be made. Is the "fruit of the vine" and "body of Jesus" represented in our life, on a daily basis? Is His blood and body manifested within us before we take the Supper? And here, we need to read and be careful when we read. We don't want to "eat and drink unworthily" when we are suppose to be "decerning the Lord's body" (I Cor. 11: 29).
Paul asks us, "How do you feel?" Weak? Strong? For believers, our strength or weakness will depend on the observance of the Supper. In Corinth, many did not examine their walk before observing the Supper. Some were "weak and sickly among you, and many sleep" (ICor. 11:30). Yes! Some in Corinth died; at least, their testimony was dead. They were, if we dare use the word, "hypocrites."
In observing the Lord's Supper, we testify of His life that He gave for us and, at the same time, a testimony is given that we are living by Him. The question is: How do I manifest joy, longsuffering and peace and the other gifts of the Spirit, as a Christian? Can I? Amen, for Paul tell us how. "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit" (Gal. 5:25).
Eating of Jesus is taking in the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Remember the Comforter that was to come? Well, He gives us His fruit. Do you desire joy? Then, allow love to live with you. Want peace? You must have love. Love encompasses all the fruit that the Holy Spirit offers. We don't have to go to church, WE GET TO GO TO CHURCH. Amen!!! We don't have to live by Jesus, the Christ, we get to live by Him.