Good Diet!

’Tis the season for overeating. From Thanksgiving through Christmas it is easy to find ourselves faced with too many good meals and delightful treats difficult to resist. No wonder one of the most common New Years Resolutions is to commit to a good diet and more exercise in order to lose some weight!

One of the members of our congregation recently shared with me a conversation he had with his doctor. He had asked if it would be okay for him and his wife to go on a particular diet. After a statement of approval regarding the suggested diet, he then asked the doctor how to do it. The doctor’s simple response was, “Buy the book, read it, and do what it says.”

Should that not be our focus for a healthy spiritual life? Buy the book, (God’s Word, the Bible), read it daily, and put into practice what it says. Could it be any simpler than that?

Now, most of us probably already have one or more copies of God’s Word, so the first part is covered. The reading and doing are to then be the ongoing activities. God has provided “all things that pertain to LIFE AND GODLINESS, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.” ( 2 Peter 1:3) Nevertheless, in the same way it takes COMMITMENT AND EFFORT to remain on a good diet and exercise regimen, so it is with regard to our spiritual life. It doesn’t just happen by itself. We must commit the EFFORT AND TIME necessary for it to happen.

Peter exhorted…
“(5) For this very reason, MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO SUPPLEMENT YOUR FAITH with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, (6) and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, (7) and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. (8) For IF THESE QUALITIES ARE YOURS AND ARE INCREASING, THEY KEEP YOU FROM BEING INEFFECTIVE OR UNFRUITFUL IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.” ( 2 Peter 1:5-8 ESV)

EFFORT is necessary to gain knowledge and to allow that knowledge to be effective and fruitful in our life. If we learn much, but never put it into practice, what benefit is the knowledge? That knowledge will only stand in judgment against us if we fail to put it to use. (i.e. James 4:17)

Solomon encouraged…
“(7) Be not wise in your own eyes; FEAR THE LORD, and TURN away FROM EVIL. (8) It will be HEALING TO YOUR FLESH and REFRESHMENT TO YOUR BONES.” ( Proverbs 3:7-8 ESV)

Let us continue to pick up God’s Book, read it, and COMMIT to doing what it says. This is the wise way to build up the life. ( Matthew 7:24) Craving and longing for “the pure spiritual milk” ( 1 Peter 2:2) is the way to nourish our soul, enabling us to grow up in our salvation. May we remain COMMITTED to putting forth the daily EFFORT.

Have a great day LIVING BY GOD’S BOOK!
Carl

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