Proper Nutrition-A Must

Near the city of Corinth, Greece, was the site where the famous Isthmian Games were held in ancient times. Paul was no doubt aware that the Corinthian brothers were familiar with the athletic contests and other competitions held there. Drawing upon their knowledge he reminded them of the race for life in which they were engaged: "Do you not know that the runners in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may attain it.A" Paul emphasized the importance of staying in the race and pressing forward until the finish. But what would help them to do so? "Every man taking part in a contest exercises self-control in all things," he added. Yes, the contestants in the ancient games submitted themselves to rigorous training, too scrupulous care in what they ate and drank, and regimented their every activity in order to win. -1 Corinthians 9:24, 25.

What about the race that Christians have entered? "You have to give attention to your spiritual nutrition if you are going to endure in the race for life," says an elder in a congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. Consider what spiritual food Jehovah, "the God who supplies endurance," has provided for us. (Romans 15:5) Our main source of spiritual nourishment is his Word, the Bible. Should we not maintain a goo Bible -reading schedule? Through "the faithful and discreet slave," Jehovah has also provided the timely journals The Watchtower and Awake! and other Bible-based publications. (Matthew 24:45) Diligently studying these will fortify us spiritually. Yes, we must take the time-'buy out the opportune time'-for personal study. -Ephesians 5:16.

To stay on the course of Christian discipleship, we need to go beyond the basic "primary doctrine" and "press on to maturity." (Hebrews 6:1) So we must develop an interest in "the breadth and length and height and depth" of the truth and draw nourishment from the "solid food [that ] belongs to mature people." (Ephesians 3:18; Hebrews 5:12-14) Take, for example, the four reliable accounts of Jesus' life on earth-the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Through a careful study of these Gospel records, we can not only know the acts that Jesus performed and the type of person he was but also perceive the pattern of thinking that motivated his actions. Then we can come to "have the mind of Christ." -1 Corinthians 2:16.

Paul admonished fellow believers: "Let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24, 25) what a source of encouragement Christians meetings are! And how refreshing it is to be with loving brothers and sisters who are interested in us and want to help us endure to the end! We cannot afford to treat lightly this loving provision from Jehovah. Through our diligent personal study and regular meeting attendance, let us "become full-grown, in powers of understanding." -1 Corinthians 14:20.

Next time: Spectators To Spur You On

Watchtower, 1999