This article first appeared on The Christian Broadcasting Network |
I grew up with a disorder called hypoglycemia. Basically, it was a problem with my pancreas and sugar intake and the major side effects I dealt with were nausea and weakness. It was constant so I simply learned to live with it.
You can imagine however, my delight at the age of 21, just a few short months after giving my heart to Jesus, when in a prayer line, God completely healed me of hypoglycemia. It was a noticeable difference. I wasn’t nauseated all the time anymore and food made me strong, not weak.
Over the years, I’ve noticed two things: one, I still don’t have a sweet tooth (somehow all the problems with sugar as a young person molded my taste buds). But you can give me chips and salsa all day long and I’m a happy camper! The second thing I noticed was that despite being miraculously healed, I still had to watch my intake. I can put raw sugar in my coffee every morning with no problem, but if I take in more sugar than other healthy choices, I don’t feel very good.
What we consume matters.
Jesus knew this and in an attempt to help people understand, He made some head-scratching comments in John, chapter six. Earlier in the day, Jesus had performed the miracle of feeding over five thousand people. The next day, the people followed Him, seeking more, in which He replied: “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled” (John 6:26).
In other words, they were hungry again — but for the wrong thing.
Jesus went on to explain: “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him… I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:27, 35).
It’s wise for me to watch my food intake even though I experienced a miracle of healing. I think we should look at our salvation the same way.
Those who have put their trust in Jesus for salvation experienced a real miracle. E.W. Kenyon once said,
“The greatest miracle is when a child of the devil becomes a child of God.”
But if, after the miracle of salvation, a person doesn’t watch or manage what they consume spiritually, the result will be a weak and dissatisfied life. This is why Jesus said, “I AM the bread of life…” When we daily partake of His life (His Word, His love, His presence, His disciplines), we will never hunger or thirst like the world.
I can go to a restaurant with my family and when the dessert is brought out, I know when I either need only one bite or perhaps none at all. I just know how to read my body. In the same way, when we are out in the world, we need to know how to carry ourselves — what is okay to partake of and what is not.
Paul said, “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27, NLT).
Paul knew Jesus was the bread of our daily life. We can have as much of Him as we’d like! But if we neglect our daily intake, we may find ourselves malnourished, and therefore, a poor example to others.
I hope you will begin today to pay attention to what you consume (spiritually). I promise, when you choose Jesus, you will be satisfied.
