The Bible says, we should live by every word of God (Matthew 4:4). But the biblical Word of God may be “sweet” in the mouth, and bitter in the “belly” (Revelation 10:19) .Some people cannot stomach bitter parts of the Bible. Yet those of us who are dedicated to becoming like Jesus Christ, accept the bitter with the sweet, to become all that our Heavenly Father wants us to be (Romans 8:29)
BIBLE SWEETNESS IN THE MOUTH
Often when people hear the good news of the gospel of salvation they rejoice.
- They are glad to hear that salvation from sin is a gift of God (Romans 6:23).
- They are excited about the promise of eternal life (John 3:16).
- And they happily anticipate living in the heavenly sweet-by-and-by with the Lord.
BIBLE BITTERNESS IN THE BELLY
Some turn away from the Lord when they learn there is bitterness, as well as sweetness in the overall Word of God.
- In the Bible Jesus said, unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no life or part in you (John 6:53-54). When many heard this, they said this is a hard saying to digest, and they turned away (60).
- At another place in the Bible, Jesus told those who would be his disciples, if anyone would come after me let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me (Matthew 16:24). Many people, like Demas, may love the pleasures of their worldly lifestyle more than they love Jesus, who left heavenly bliss to come into this world to suffer and died for them (2 Timothy 4:10; John3:19). And some may endeavor to avoid the suffering and troubles that come with following the Lord (Mark 4:16-19).
ACCEPTING THE BITTER WITH THE SWEET
- Some disciples chose not to turn away from the Lord, but stay with him. Being among them, Peter said, Lord, where shall we go? You have words of eternal life (John 6:68).
- Like these disciples, some of us have chosen to eat his flesh, drink his blood–deny ourselves and take up our cross to follow him.
- Some of us are included in those who are committed, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to go with Jesus Christ through tribulations, and follow the Lamb of God wherever he goes (Revelation 7:14).
Are you one of those who are committed to following and obeying the whole biblical Word of God concerning our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ?
