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The Youth’s Instructor

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November 11, 1897

The Bread of Life

Part 2.

EGW

God looked with sorrow upon the disregard which those whom he had created showed to their eternal interests. He so desired that they might be partakers of life everlasting, that he sent his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish. Christ is the Creator of the universe. “By him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.” Of old he laid the foundation of the world; the heavens are the work of his hand. By the arm of his power he upholds his creation. YI November 11, 1897, par. 1

Yet for our sakes, Christ came to the world, and suffered death upon the cross, that he might be, to all who would accept him, the bread of life. “I am the living bread,” he declares, “which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.... Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.” YI November 11, 1897, par. 2

Those that eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his blood,—draw their life and strength from him,—become consecrated agents through whom God can work; but only to the humble in heart can this bread of life be imparted. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” “Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my word.” The more humble our spirit, the less self is exalted, the deeper will be our interest in things of eternity, and the more effectually will God be able to use us as channels of blessing. YI November 11, 1897, par. 3

Many are starved and strengthless because, instead of eating of the bread which came down from heaven, they fill their minds with things of minor importance. But if the sinner will partake of the bread of life, he will, regenerated and restored, become a living soul. The bread sent down from heaven will infuse new life into his weakened energies. The Holy Spirit will take of the things of God, and show them to him; and if he will receive them, his character will be cleansed from all selfishness, and refined and purified for heaven. YI November 11, 1897, par. 4

To the careless, the indifferent, the unconcerned, those standing on the precipice of ruin, Christ says: Open the door of your heart; give me entrance, and I will make you a child of God. I will transform your weak, sinful nature into the divine image, giving it beauty and perfection. YI November 11, 1897, par. 5

As we receive physical strength by partaking of earthly food, so we are made strong by eating the flesh and drinking the blood of Christ. “This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” Not only does Christ give us the bread of life; but the water of life, which he gives, is as a well of water, springing up into everlasting life. It possesses life-giving properties and purifying efficacy; for it proceeds from the throne of God. YI November 11, 1897, par. 6

Those who will permit God to work in them will grow up unto the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. Every power of the mind and body will be used in the service of God. The soul will be renovated through divine truth. “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion,” and behold your Saviour, Jesus, “the bread of life.” He has wonderful blessings to give to those who will receive him. He is mighty in strength and wonderful in counsel. By the ministration of the Holy Spirit, he seeks to impress his image upon our characters. If we will feed upon him, we shall become new creatures in Christ Jesus. The virtues of a true Christian character, the excellences that are revealed in the character of Christ, will be seen in the life born of the Spirit. Man, with his human nature, will become a partaker of divinity. The power of Christ will work to sanctify every part of the being, diffusing life, activity, and soundness through the whole, and developing spiritual efficiency. YI November 11, 1897, par. 7

Mrs. E. G. White