Man Shall Not Live By Bread Alone

In this life, human beings can only exist when they feed their bodies. The same can be said about our spiritual body.  If we choose not to feed our soul, our soul will die. Jesus truly said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Mt 4:4 This one phrase bears examination. Jesus made it clear that we can’t live just by eating food. We must also have the Word which proceeds from the mouth of God. Peter said, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.” 1 Pet 4:11 The phrase “Oracles of God” is interpreted in other versions of the bible as “the utterances or very words of God”.

The Hebrew writer described studying God’s Word as drinking milk or eating meat. He said, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Heb 5:12-14 When we are first baptized into the body, the church of Christ, we are like little babies who can’t eat the meatier points of the Word. Therefore it is necessary for the Elders of the congregation to protect these little ones, and feed them a little at a time until they are able to fully comprehend the full picture of the doctrine of Christ.

However, when one has been a Christian for a very long time, and still can’t get past the first principles of the Word of God, then something is very wrong. If mature members of the church are still not able to teach and be productive Christians, then surely they are as vulnerable to fall away as would be the new born babe in Christ. To this end Paul wrote, “ I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” 1 Cor 3:1-3 This is why Paul commanded Timothy to study or to seek diligently to show himself approved of God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 And again he said, “Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” 1 Tim 4:13 Isaiah said, “Seek you out of the book and read.” Isa 34:16 John wrote, “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” Rev 1:3 Jeremiah wrote, “Your words were found, and I did eat them; and your word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by your name, O Lord God of hosts.” Jer 15:16

It is bad to see a young Christian who is a very quick learner of God’s Word, even as Timothy was, and yet their talents are suppressed by aged members who are unwilling to accept their tender years or are not prepared to step down to let them lead. Paul told Timothy, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Tim 4:12 The best way for any congregation to die is to not cultivate their youth, and once they are properly prepared and qualified, let them preach, teach, and lead.

The truth of the matter is, that we can’t live without God’s Word. Yes, our human bodies possibly might last for a short space of 100 years or so (most much sooner), but it eventually will die. If we have studied and obeyed God’s Word, we are buried with Christ by baptism and die to our sins and raised to walk a new life in Christ. Rom 6:3,4 “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Rom 6:8-11

Let us be prepared even as Paul declared, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Rom 12:1-2 Let us be prepared to preach the Word of God in and out of season, reproving, rebuking and exhorting with all long suffering and doctrine. 2 Tim 4:2-5 Let us be prepared to prove all things and hold firm that which is good. 1 Thess 5:21 Let us be prepared to contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints. Jude 3 Let us be set for the defense of the gospel. Philip 1:15-18  Above all this, let us be prepared to stand before the judgment seat of Christ and hear those beautiful words “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.” Mt 25:21