Physical Food and Spiritual Food
Jesus told us that there are two types of food - the food that perishers (physical food), and the food that endures to eternal life (spiritual food). We need to LABOR for both types of food!
Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on Him God the Father has set his seal. John 6:27
Why Should We Labor for Spiritual Food?
Mankind is a Living Soul made up of a Body and a Spirit (Genesis 2:7). Both body and spirit need nourishments to grow and to maintain themselves.
However, it is even more important in current times to labor for spiritual food, because developing our spirits is profitable to us both in this life and that which is to come.
For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 1 Timothy 4:8
Why Should We Care about the Life Which is to Come?
Most Bible scholars agree that we are already in the Last Days. It has been prophesied in the Bible that this world will be destroyed, and Jesus will come to set up His New Kingdom on Earth. Unfortunately, a carnal mind cannot subject itself to the Law of God. Unless we develop our spirits, we will not be able to enter or stay in the New Kingdom of God.
Because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be. Romans 8:7
Flesh and Spirit are in Enmity Against Each Other
The stronger our flesh, the weaker is our Spirit, and the same is true for the opposite. We can easily tell from everyday experience that carnal people are often restless, and spiritual people usually care less about material comfort. Strengthening our spirit is how we can control our carnal desires.
For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other. Galatians 5:17
How Can We Develop Our Spirits?
To develop our spirits, we need spiritual food! We all know how to labor physically for physical food, but how about spiritual food? When Jesus' disciples asked Him what is the work required to obtain spiritual food, Jesus answered as follows:
Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent. John 6:29
How to Believe?
Physical food required physical work, and spiritual food needs mind work. And this "mind work" is TO BELIEVE!
An Innocent Mind
It is easy for a child to believe. I remember a Minister sharing his family story. Since he believes in divine healing and always prays whenever anyone in his family gets sick, one day his little boy suddenly asked him, "Dad, what work does a doctor do?"
A Carnal Mind
But for most of us who have already been taught by the world, there is one more step we need to take, and that is to get rid of our old beliefs!
When we get sick, the world teaches us to seek the doctor; but the Bible teaches us that God is our Healer. Which one do we believe? This is what Paul calls "renewing of our mind".
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2
A Personal Testimony
When I was small, my parents used to take me to the doctor whenever I got sick. However, as I have become more and more convinced of the perfection of God's works, I stopped seeing doctors naturally, and instead put all my faith in the perfect body operations designed by my Creator. Then I found out that, the more I believe, the more this becomes a Reality.
There was a time when I had a high fever. I suddenly remembered that Jesus rebuked the fever in Peter's mother-in-law, so likewise I rebuked my fever. When I measured my temperature after about two hours, it was totally back to normal.
The Most Important Work in the Last Days
The Bible tells us that the Last Days will be like the Days of Noah. At that time, most people did not take heed to the warnings of Noah and were swept away by the Great Flood! But this time with the Bible and so many prophetic messages sent by God,