Thoughts From the Institutes

I was reading Calvin's Institutes again and wanted to pass on a thought that I felt was very relevant to us today. As a believer, what do you desire? What do you hunger for? If you're Baptist like me you often think of food (he he!). Would any of us think seriously about skipping food for a week? Not a chance! Now...for a sobering thought...what about feasting on the Word of God...could you go that long without coming to the table and feasting on spiritual food?

Here is what Calvin said (Institutes, Vol 1, p. 83 of McNeill translation): "As far as Sacred Scripture is concerned, however much froward men try to gnaw at it, nevertheless it clearly is crammed with thoughts that could not be humanly conceived. Let each of the prophets be looked into: none will be found who does not far exceed human measure. Consequently, those for whom prophetic doctrine is tasteless ought to be thought of as lacking in taste buds."

So here's my question/exhortation...are you proving that you are "lacking in taste buds" for the Word of God? How often do you put food in your mouth...how often do you put the Word of God into you heart? If you have no appetite for spiritual food you might have a big problem...ever see a dead man eat a Big Mac? Does he desire one? No...because he's dead. Spiritually dead people don't desire and crave the Word either!

1 Peter 2:2-3- "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious."

Food for thought...