Eating Healthy
I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 1 Corinthians 3:2-3 NASB
Still not ready – We all want the healthy stuff, right? We want the full meal, the meat and potatoes, the diet that gives us spiritual strength and insight. But are we ready? Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that we are. Notice what Paul says about those who are still on baby food. They aren’t ready for the real meal because they have the wrong doctrines, right? No, sorry, they aren’t ready because they don’t follow the same rituals? Oh, wrong again. They aren’t ready because they attend that other assembly. No, again. Paul’s entry requirement to the banquet hall is rather startling. The reason for a continual diet of baby food is jealousy and arguing. Until we get over the ego issues, we can’t get to the adult’s table.
If what Paul’s says is true, then you and I are surrounded by a world of babies. Everywhere I go there is jealously and arguing. The Greek terms help us see the bigger problem. Zelos (jealousy) is that fervent desire to have it my way. In the early Church fathers, this Greek word is used in the sense of envy, to have what is yours simply because I want it. This attitude is competitive and aggressive. It is the, “You’re wrong, I’m right. Shut up!” environment. Of course, we can be jealous with civility. We just dismiss the actions and thoughts of others. “It’s too bad that they don’t get it, but isn’t it nice that we have the truth.” According to Paul, this life style keeps us on strained peas.
“Quarreling” is the Greek term eris. It is strife, contention, intransigent debate. You and I have seen plenty of this in religious circles. We don’t discuss anymore. We argue. We fight to claim we are right. And most of all, we act as though we have nothing more to learn. We are the guardians of the true gospel and anyone who questions us is anathema. Between 303 CE and 428 CE the whole Christian world was caught up in this kind of attitude. As a result, the Church murdered its own, claiming that God demanded the removal of those who did not agree. Instead of killing each other, we just start a new assembly. That way we don’t have to repent over the graves we left behind.
Paul’s assessment? “Are you not acting in typical human ways.” The NASB adds “merely,” but the message is pretty clear. You will not eat at God’s table until you give up your need to be right. If jealousy, envy and strife are present, don’t expect to grow. In fact, Paul might even call you sinners. Perhaps the first step we need to take in this spiritual diet is a trip to the mirror. If you discover that the person staring back at you has to be right, rejects any alternative, competes for prominence and won’t budge an inch, you might notice a severe malnutrition is setting in.
Topical Index: still not ready, jealousy, zelos, quarreling, eris, diet, 1 Corinthians 3:2-3
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Arrogance has to be the true fruit of ignorance, and we suffer from both equally when we shut out others and what we need from them (would that be nutrition?) with such nonsense as the competitiveness and strife inherent in that focus on self. The worship of self – what we know as humanism – was apparently alive and well in Paul’s day. The wise man was right; there truly is nothing new under this sun.
Miss Hayes good start off. Arrogance not looking at yourself in the mirror even though others see what you are doing. Matthew 7:1-5 these verses bring out to good points that follow in suit. Period first do not judge for in the same manner you will be judged. It’s not really saying don’t judge. Myself along with others may need correction along the way use his word and by his spirit through compassion and correct each other. When you judge the same manner in which you use you will be judged. Judging others is needed but in the right manner. Second group of versus include taking the log of your own eye before removing Sawdust out of your brother’s eye. The way we approach correcting others is the manifestation of Hessed in simple definition God’s loving kindness any form of leadership must use this approach. When you are being watched others will do as you do. Humility except for God’s grace and mercy I could use the same correction. 2nd Timothy 3. 16 all scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives it corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right I think I’ll add 17 God uses hit to prepare in equip his people to do every good work Jacob or James1: 23 for if you listen to the word and do not obey it it is like glancing at your face in the mirror you see yourself and walk away and forget what you look like. 2 5 but if you look carefully into the law that set you free and you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard and God will bless you for doing it. Note first one this was written to the 12 tribes that were scattered. My take on this is look for the Jewish insights and patterns the Old Testament.
Hello All,
Laurita and Bret, good observations and yes, I am sure you might agree with me in a preference for meat and potatoes over pureed or strained peas.. I am very happy to praise YHVH this year as the feasts will not be celebrated alone. I am working with other believers to produce two anthologies that will each be published at two different appointed times, and knowing a project was shared with others will make these occasions special! Nothing will have changed in my local church environment, and the time for kicking and screaming about that is over! They are free to have their paradigm and vice versa. I believe YHVH directs us to peacefully co-exist with others, and this seems to be the ongoing challenge of our present era here in the USA. BTW, red-skin potatoes are my favorite.. This has not been an easy place to come to on my journey.. Prayers appreciated!
David Russell
David, Prayers for you and yours and your situation. Chagim sameach!
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Ditto to Leslee.
Skip comments something very important, retaliate and we are babies, shrug off and we are still babies…
I read that Paul is saying by keeping quiet and or arguing to show a point is also wrong. Proverbs provides the answer a soft word. Not a silent or loud one…
The NT authors refer to this as those that are strong helping right using specific spiritual gifts not cognitive debates or aggressive stiff necked withdrawal.
What is a soft word, is it a kind word or a word that will get others seriously rethinking the comment or advice…
I think the first tendency is to look at the log in the eye of the other be it the church, the administration, a person, and then one’s own log. Then, we visit the issue of are we a baby if we shrug off, say something, how do we say something, etc etc. The dialogue between King David and Nathan exemplifies this whole process well in how Nathan approached David about his sin involving the neighbor woman and her husband. Today, we cut to the quick and hit the matter right on. I need to consider “a soft word” and what that implies. Thanks for your responses!
My take on this is it is possible that the giftings and words of Prophecy wisdom teaching rebuking excitation Etc. Are all in place but there is no accountability so people don’t live the holy life of God commands us which does not get me off the hook or you. When we are used in the giftings God has given us and knowing that the gifts come from him that we are only vessels that God uses at his will. For example there is a very unusual prayer movement we’re gifted individuals speak what and how God desires and within weeks sometimes the next meeting which is weekly what they said has come to pass. It truly is all about holiness without it no one will see the Lord the one on one Stern but free in their walk with the Lord. His desires become their desires knowing that the change has taken place maybe they know God is in control.
I have struggled lately. Now, more than ever, I find myself in frustrating “debates” about politics and religion. This week I decided I had had enough, and this word today has only convinced me that I am right to make a change. From now on I am resolved to enter no discussions on religion or politics unless I am honestly seeking to learn from the person with whom I am discussing. The point of my debates should not be to change the other person’s opinion, but to seek to have my opinion shaped and grown. Hopefully this will keep me out of trouble.
Great commitment. Thanks
My husband and I attend a traditional Christian Church and are actively involved in it. We have a radically different theological view than what the Christian church teaches and all of the congregants believe to be true. Our paradigms have been shifted and are still shifting. However, attending this church isn’t about holding or arguing the tenants of faith they preach, but about the people that make up the congregation. The relationships that we have with these folks is the driving force behind why we still attend. It has been a tremendous learning experience and there are many more lessons yet to learn. Mostly, its about knowing when to keep your mouth shut, listening to know what the real issue in the room is, and the proper time to introduce another way of looking at the same old problems. In my opinion, at the core of every ‘Christian’ church is the same goal, salvation. The endless forms of marketing, persuasive arguments, manipulation, and coercion are all about “saving the lost.” It is so deeply rooted within the church culture, most people believe this is the ultimate form of loving someone or loving their neighbor. The denominations wage war over the ‘right’ way to salvation, and thus we eat our own. All of the outreaches, the messages, Christian charity begins and ends with ‘saving the lost.’ Something we have NO power to do. That self righteousness is condemnation to those that we are commanded to love! The crusades are alive and well in the western world today. Convert or die…..
I couldn’t agree more. Christianity is a form of empire building and requires continuous recruitment. Heaven is the reward. Life here really doesn’t matter. Of course, you are supposed to be a good person, but the final message is escape, not involvement. Nevertheless, the Church is probably the biggest “mission” field in the world and for those of us who stand with the God of Israel, making deep friendships is the most important beginning. No one listens to a person he does not trust.
I may be way off base but it sounds as though you’re encouraging us to stay where we are. Which means we are not to get involved in a Synagogue if we’re already involved in a “Christian church” because there we have people who trust us. I know we are to have a heart for people of all denominations but that does not mean we have a heart for the denomination. I’ve been involved in denominations my whole life both forcibly and willingly. How can and why should I continue to stay in a place that does not honor Torah or the Jewish people? Is there more than one way, one truth and one Saviour?
No, I am not encouraging you to stay in a place where you feel the community is not honoring YHVH or His people. But I am encouraging you to maintain as many of the PERSONAL relationship as you can since it is relationships, not organizations or denominations, that are the key to helping each other see what God is doing. I left the “Church” for the same reason you suggest, but I maintain some very important personal relationships with people I know from those circles.
Hello everyone,
Amber P, I appreciate your remarks and the way you describe what you and your husband do to stay involved at the local church. Thanks for being clear! I get it! Skip and Bret, you two cleared the confusion with your added comments also. Relationship – relationship – relationship. Got it. It seems like this reflection struck a cord with several of us and is still resonating. That’s good!