In the Beginning
Beloved, the inclusion of food (or "Meat") in God's creative order was essential for the sustenance of both of humankind and animals. This was the awe-inspiring climax, or the sixth day of creation, whereby God spoke the entire universe into existence: "And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so." (Genesis 1:29-30) As the most basic of physiological needs, God's loving provision for His crowning achievement, humankind, is no less than sufficient, satisfying, appetizing and sustaining . These endowments are supplied and multiplied in response to one's faithful obedience. Of course, it get's even better as one's willingness to believe and function within the limits of God's created order is proven authentic. In other words, these gifts will continue and accrue when one chooses to practice doing good, as opposed to evil. Such is the case, even in our world today, and as confirmed by Jesus: "And 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 6:33)
Appetites Gone Awry
As we recall the Genesis account of the Fall from perfect order in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve fell prey to yielding to the allure of the food forbidden by God. The disruption to the order of God instituted by His Word was both costly and catastrophic.
The covenant God established with Adam was such that the appetizing, fulfilling and freely available life supply of every tree in the garden remained at his disposal. However, the one exception stipulated by God was the only tree whose selection would break the covenant, and thereby sealing their fate and a loss of favor before God. In other words, the most fundamental need of humankind would determine the fundamental choice of either obedience or disobedience.
As we are well aware, the ill-advised food selection infused and defiled their souls with the sin nature. An immediate death sentence was imposed and the disease of sin remains in force, and is on a rampage even as I compose this message: "And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." (Genesis 2:16)
At this juncture, we have been armed to some degree with a new perspective on food choices, and insight into the distinction between the source of foods that offer either eternal or temporal provision and sustenance. Of course, the capacity to make a distinction between a source nowise implies an experiential knowledge of that source. In order to satisfy that requisite, one must come to the knowledge of the truth of the Living Word or the Spirit of God: "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts." (Jeremiah 15:16)
Food that Fills and Seals
An insatiable craving, an irresistible urge, an uncontrollable desire, an unchecked longing or lust are all examples or conditions that signify various sensations of hunger. Because the physical hunger we are familiar with is triggered by the stomach, the typical response is to satisfy that hunger with food to that sustains us. This response is natural and ongoing, as after an undetermined period of time the same response will need to repeated, and so it goes.
The issue in many cases is that the tendency for some of us to overeat or overindulge becomes problematic. If such indulgences (food or otherwise) are not checked, managed, regulated or controlled, damaging or even disastrous consequences are inevitable. Herein lies the frailty, instability and unrestrained nature of the human condition: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." (1 John 2:15-17)
Despite the desperate state of the world today, along with the decline of relations across our nation, and the seemingly endless assaults on our best efforts to resist and defend against a myriad of temptations, let us remain steadfast in right living: "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6) The filling of our hearts and souls with the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ will more than satisfy the hunger of our longing souls. The word "soul", by definition, an aggregate of our thoughts, emotions and will, and which only the Lord is able to fill.
A true believer is sealed by the spirit to secure his or her soul and ownership by Christ. This serves to equip and strengthens us for the fight, and keeps us in His marvelous light. As products of the Overcomer, who nourishes us with the richness of His shed blood, will lead, guide and sustain us until the very end: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58)
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