1 Corinthians 3 Try Meat! Milk Is For Infants!

1 Corinthians 3:1-23 NIV
I have no major objections to dairy products; but, personally, I prefer some meat and potatoes and maybe a few other vegetables appropriately seasoned. Something that I can sink my teeth into.

Paul addresses the Corinthians, not as mature Christians, but as mere infants in Christ who still need to be bottle fed. No meat for them, yet. Are you ready for meat? Not everyone wants it, you know. Some would prefer to be fed only milk. They are just not ready to sink their teeth into the full gospel of Christ because the full gospel of Christ reminds us that we are to deny ourselves and follow in his footsteps. Some would prefer to follow in the ways of the world. The ways of the world are usually contrary to the ways of God. They involve ego and greed. The ways of the world attempt to build man up. Even while having the pretense of worshipping God, it is often apparent that we are lifting up our own good works; building up our own egos. And... so it is desirous to continue being fed with milk. The stuff of God that you can sink your teeth into can be a bit more of a challenge than many would desire.

Try meat! Milk is for infants.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Daniel 1 - Everything Permissible; Not Beneficial

Daniel (Belteshazzar), Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach), and Azariah (Abednigo) have found themselves in captivity in Babylon. They have been chosen to prepare to personally serve King Nebuchadnezzar. They don't have a problem with this. They do have a problem; though, with eating from the king's table. The diet is not one that God would choose for them. Daniel convinces the chief official to try feed him and his comrades food that would not defile them. It works! Daniel and company are healthier than those who eat from the king's table. "So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead." (Dan 1:16 NIV) They are not only healthier, they are blessed by God. "To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom." (Dan 1:17-20)

We eat and drink some stuff that is not always so good for us. Sure, it is permissible; but, is it good for us? Paul wrote: “'I have the right to do anything,' you say—but not everything is beneficial. 'I have the right to do anything'—but I will not be mastered by anything.'" (1 Corinth 6:12) Sometimes we just need to consider that just maybe God did not give us those dietary laws for His health, but for ours. How many times have we been warned by our doctors to eat healthier? Do we listen? What are the benefits to us if we do? Lately, my memory and my focus have been off a bit. Frankly, some days, it is just hard to keep up with everything. A few years ago, my doctor prescribed additional vegetable protein. It worked while I listened. So, now I find myself going back to concentrating on increasing protein content to my diet so that I can function up to par. Sure, we can eat all the junk food and drinks that we want. Nobody is stopping us. Everything is permissible; but, not every thing is beneficial...

God's Peace - Pr. J