Our High Calling

The Bread That Satisfies, July 22

I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.... For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. John 6:51-55. OHC 209.1

The words, “Give us this day our daily bread,” refer not only to temporal food but to the spiritual food which brings everlasting life to the receiver. When we believe and receive Christ's word, we eat His flesh and drink His blood.... OHC 209.2

As by eating temporal food the physical system becomes strong, so by eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God, the spiritual nature is strengthened. God's Word is spirit and life to all who appropriate it. He who partakes of Christ's flesh and blood is a partaker of the divine nature.... A vital, life-giving current flows from his Saviour to him.^{47Manuscript 48, 1895.} OHC 209.3

No one can eat this flesh and drink this blood for another. Each must come to Christ with his own soul hunger, each must have his own convictions, feel his own soul's need, and learn of Christ for himself.^{48Manuscript 29, 1896.} OHC 209.4

Filled with the Bread of Life, we cannot hunger for earthly attractions, worldly excitements, and earthly grandeur. Our religious experience will be of the same order as the food upon which we feed.^{49Manuscript 50, 1895.} OHC 209.5

The food we eat at one meal does not satisfy us forever. We must daily partake of food. So we must daily eat the Word of God that the life of the soul may be renewed. In those who feed constantly upon the Word, Christ is formed, the hope of glory. A neglect to read and study the Bible brings spiritual starvation.... OHC 209.6

Christ is our life. The soul in whom He abides will meet the requirements of His principles, in thorough devotion and consecration to God. Christ's personal contact with the soul builds it up, supplying its ever-recurring wants. He is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. He is our sufficiency.... OHC 209.7

He is the lifeblood of the soul. If He abides with us, we may say, “I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” Galatians 2:20.^{50Manuscript 60, 1901.} OHC 209.8