"What Thing is This?" - Too

"Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?" (John 6:60 KJV)

  "There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don't seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God's word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn't know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong." (Hebrews 5:11-14 NLT)

 Maybe it might be hard to swallow, but it is meant to be chewed on for a while, until it can easily be digested. I remember being told once that I needed to chew on God's word, as a cow chews the cud. As Pastor Bryan always says: "Read God's word slowly!" Now, put these two practices together, by reading God's word slowly, not biting off more than you can chew; and then, chew on what you read until it is very easy to digest. 

 Anywho, I feel as though it is a pretty good practice to put on my list for New Year's resolutions; that and making something that does not set well with me understandable. Matthew Henry points out that Jesus would have most likely explained it better, if they had just asked for help in understanding what He said. How many times does that happen? You hear something said that you don't understand, yet don't want to look stupid asking for someone to explain it? 

 And then, there are those who actually do understand, yet because it makes them feel uneasy or might be a conflict to their lifestyle, they reject even trying to eat it at all. Which is pretty much what Paul is getting at, as someone that can relate very well to what he is talking about. The skill Paul is talking about is quite easy to understand; as with every trade, the tradesman should understand what works and doesn't work in the task of performing what he or she does.

 Here is something to think about, if you are making a New Year's list: If it offends you, don't go away offended, but go away better informed. Better yet, search your heart for the reason something offended you, and ask God how to deal with the offence. There are two major issues involved with offence: anger and fear. Sometimes it just requires a little humility and love to get over both of them...

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 Corinthians 10:3-6 KJV)