Chapter 220—Sustaining the Spiritual Life
Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall
never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
John 6:35
.
God speaks to us in His Word. Here we have in clearer lines the revelation
of His character, of His dealings with men, and the great work of redemption.
Here is open before us the history of patriarchs and prophets and other holy
men of old. They were men “subject to like passions as we are” (
James
5:17
). We see how they struggled through discouragements like our own,
how they fell under temptation as we have done, and yet took heart again
and conquered through the grace of God: and beholding, we are encouraged
in our striving after righteousness. As we read of the precious experiences
granted them, of the light and love and blessing it was theirs to enjoy, and of
the work they wrought through the grace given them, the spirit that inspired
them kindles a flame of holy emulation in our hearts and a desire to be like
them in character—like them to walk with God.
Jesus said of the Old Testament Scriptures—and how much more it is
true of the New—“They are they which testify of me” (
John 5:39
).... If you
would become acquainted with the Saviour, study the Holy Scriptures. Fill
the whole heart with the words of God. They are the living water, quenching
your burning thirst. They are the living bread from heaven.... Our bodies are
built up from what we eat and drink; and as in the natural economy, so in
the spiritual economy: it is what we meditate upon that will give tone and
strength to our spiritual nature.
Spiritual life must be sustained by communion with Christ through His
Word. The mind must dwell upon it, the heart must be filled with it. The
Word of God laid up in the heart and sacredly cherished and obeyed, through
the power of the grace of Christ can make man right, and keep him right.
When His words of instruction have been received, and have taken
possession of us, Jesus is to us an abiding presence, controlling our thoughts
and ideas and actions.... Jesus Christ is everything to us—the first, the last,
the best in everything.
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