THE NEW ALTAR

THE NEW ALTAR

Hebrews 13:10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

A few nights ago we were at a small Chapel Meeting in which the discussion turned to how to alert a person to the fact of a deeper walk with God.

Several aspects were touched on, such as the parable of the sower and the varying degrees of productivity of the good ground. Also the parable of the talents-- (according to their several ability), plus other topics.

Soon, we were talking about what makes the difference between the "robust" and the "weakly" Christians.

Right away, Tom Ward and others were "off and running" on the subject of "food of a Christian". I think Tom had the better idea of what it takes to maintain Spiritual health.

There is a definite contrast made in the Bible about where we are to obtain Spiritual Food for our souls. It is really sad to see so many folks looking in the wrong places for their food.

It is not in good music, though GOOD music doesn't do any HARM in itself, if used solely as an AID to WORSHIP, rather than substituted AS WORSHIP.

It is not in good preaching, though preaching, if good enough, will help direct us to the place where food is to be found. Good preaching can only serve as a sign post, pointing us to where our Spiritual Food is. We sell ourselves short when we listen to preaching for preaching's sake, desireable as it is.

Tom pointed out that natural food is for the body, and if we eat the right kinds of food in the right amounts, we will be healthy and robust human beings.

BUT, AS CHRISTIANS, WE REQUIRE A DIFFERENT KIND OF FOOD FOR OUR SPIRIT AND SOUL. Only the Spirit of God can satisfy that need.

Then Tom took us to the scriptures quoted at the beginning of this article, and explained how the priests of the Law were actually fed (and grew fat) from the Altar of the Tabernacle. There are many scriptures which declare this fact, but we will not go into them now. We just want to establish the fact that they did get their "meat" FROM THE ALTAR. They ATE FROM THE ALTAR.

Now, let me re-quote Hebrews 13:10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

Usually, when we think of an altar, we automatically think of a sacrifice being made by ourselves or someone else. But the writer is not using it in that sense here.

IT IS FROM THIS ALTAR THAT WE ARE TO "EAT AND GROW FAT" IN OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE.

No, there is no "bread and potatoes" on this altar. Nothing for the physical man at all-- ONLY FOR THE SPIRIT MAN. And there is PLENTY FOR ALL.

BUT WE CAN ONLY HAVE IT AS WE ARE WILLING TO TAKE IT. That is the entire secret of being HEALTHY or SICKLY AND WEAK as Christians. TAKING OUR FOOD FROM THE ALTAR.

Jesus AMPLY SUPPLIED THE ALTAR with meat (His Flesh) and drink (His blood) from the Cross of Calvary.
John 6:51 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. -- Then Jesus said unto them, 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.

But, HOW DO WE TAKE THIS FOOD FROM THE ALTAR? Listen to Jude

Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, PRAYING IN THE HOLY GHOST, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

I Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

The KNOWLEDGE of the Word of God is GOOD, but INSUFFICIENT IN ITSELF to make us strong. LARGE DOSES OF THE SPIRIT are also vital to good Spiritual health.

The BEST WAY (though perhaps not the ONLY way) to eat of the Spirit is by the way of praying in the unknown tongue. Sometimes it might seem such a waste of time-- to not know what is being communicated between you and the Lord, but rest assured-- GOD KNOWS THE NEED in your life, and is not MINCING WORDS, NOR SKIRTING THE ISSUES, as we are prone to do when we vocalize our prayers. We are so prone to attempting to tell God what the siruation is, which is a waste of time. He KNOWS IT BETTER THAN WE DO.

WHAT A WONDERFUL SOURCE OF SUPPLY WE HAVE. It is the ALTAR OF THE SPIRIT, supplied by Jesus Himself.

"EAT MY FLESH, AND DRINK MY BLOOD."