EATING AND DIGESTING THE WHOLE BIBLE
Jesus said we should live by every word that come from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). An angel delivered the written Word of God to the apostle John and told him to eat it all; but said it would be sweet in the mouth but bitter in the belly (Revelation 10::10). Some people cannot stomach the bitter parts of the Bible. However, if we would be a true disciple of the Lord we must accept the bitter with the sweet, to become all God wants us to be (Luke 9:23; Romans 8:29)
BIBLE SWEETNESS IN THE MOUTH
Many people hear the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ and rejoice (John 3:16; Matthew 13:20).
- 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).
- The recognize the miracles and benefits associated with Jesus (John 6:1:14).
- And they happily anticipate living in heaven with the Lord (John 14:2-3).
BIBLE BITTERNESS IN THE BELLY
But some turn away from the Lord when they learn there are hardships and problem concerning things of the world that come with obeying all the Word of God
- When trouble or persecution comes some will fall away (Matthew 13:21)
- Some in the Bible stopped following Jesus when they decided they could not stomach “the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood” (John 6:53).
- Demas departed from working for the Lord because he loved the things of this world more than he loved the Lord who suffered and died for him (2 Timothy 4:10; John3:19).
- Some today will stop following the Lord when they understand that he said, “if anyone would come after me let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
ACCEPTING THE BITTER WITH THE SWEET
- Some disciples choose not to turn away from the Lord, but stay with him. Peter was one of Jesus’ disciples that said, Lord, where shall we go? You have the 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 (Matthews 16:24).
- We have decided to be conformed to his likeness despite having to suffer (Romans 8:29; 1 Peter 2:21).
- We are those who are committed, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to go with Jesus Christ through troubles and tribulations, and follow the Lamb of God wherever he goes (Revelation 7:14).
Are you one of those who are committed to eating and obeying the whole biblical Word of God in following our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ?
