A baby is completely dependent upon the care and provider of the parents. A baby cries for various reasons, and the parents have to decipher what the baby wants. A baby hungers and thirsts, so the parents feed their baby with milk. So, we can agree that a baby naturally needs someone in order to survive.
The analogy of a baby is a good transition to the topic that I want to speak about. A Christian is described in various images in Scripture: a sheep, a member of the body of Christ, a part of the temple of God, a bride of Christ, a salt, a light, an infant and so forth.
A Christian is an infant. Thankfully, God knows fully well what a Christian needs. Peter said, "Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good." (1 Peter 2:2-3)
Christians are newborn infants because they have been spiritually born-again by the Holy Spirit (John 3). As newborn infants, Christians are no longer "by nature children of wrath" (Ephesians 2:3); Christians are a "new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:19). Because Christians are born-again, because Christians are infants, because Christians are new creation, Christians ought to naturally desire milk - spiritual food - Scripture or the Bible.
It is the nature of Christians to be dependent on God. It is the nature of Christians to progressively know God. It is the nature of Christians to progressively desire to know God. It is the nature of Christians to progressively and naturally hunger and thirst for God. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." (Matthew 5:6) The Beatitudes are the characters that describe what a Christian looks like. Any Christians who are self-reliant and independent would lead him/her to spiritual despair, amnesia and vulnerability.
Singing hymns are generally my preferable style of worship. Not all hymns, however, equally have good theology. In "Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah", I invite you to read these two lines:
Singing hymns are generally my preferable style of worship. Not all hymns, however, equally have good theology. In "Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah", I invite you to read these two lines:
Bread Of Heaven, Bread Of Heaven
Feed Me Till I Want No More
In context of this hymn, when the Israelite was in the wilderness, they need manna or food. Manna were breads that fell from heaven. Physical nourishment is important, and there is a suggested theological implication that physical fulfillment is temporal.
After doing much research on this hymn, this lyric was probably not the original, but was probably edited. Regardless of what the original was, "feed me till I want no more" does not sound correct. It is implying or suggesting that spiritual nourishment is temporary rather than an ongoing desire for that nourishment.
After doing much research on this hymn, this lyric was probably not the original, but was probably edited. Regardless of what the original was, "feed me till I want no more" does not sound correct. It is implying or suggesting that spiritual nourishment is temporary rather than an ongoing desire for that nourishment.
Think about it, a baby naturally needs physical nourishment. For Christians, they naturally (or supernaturally) also need spiritual nourishment from the Word of God. Without the knowledge and practice of the Word of God, Christians cannot spiritually grow into maturity (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Meditate on this response from a "Christian": "Thank you God for the Bible. I finished reading it and I want it (or God) no more."
A proper response would be this: "Thank you God for feeding me with your Word, and I desire more." And off you go to your other activities as you look forward to your next devotion because you want more of God's Word and Himself.
As I was saying about the lyric, there was a change. Whether if you have been a Christian for a long time or if you've recently became a Christian, I hope that we would always have the attitude of being an infant that longs for God and be close with Him. So here's the alternate lyric:
Meditate on this response from a "Christian": "Thank you God for the Bible. I finished reading it and I want it (or God) no more."
A proper response would be this: "Thank you God for feeding me with your Word, and I desire more." And off you go to your other activities as you look forward to your next devotion because you want more of God's Word and Himself.
As I was saying about the lyric, there was a change. Whether if you have been a Christian for a long time or if you've recently became a Christian, I hope that we would always have the attitude of being an infant that longs for God and be close with Him. So here's the alternate lyric:
Bread Of Heaven, Bread Of Heaven
Feed Me Now And Evermore
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