Doing the Will of God...

"Jesus saith unto them,

 My meat is to 

do the will 

of him that sent me, 

and to finish his work" 

(John 4:34).

There's a widespread belief that Bible study, reading Christian literature, church attendance, and participation in a variety of outward religious activities are the food that feeds the soul and produces Spiritual growth. While these activities may provide instruction about the will of God, persuade us to do it, and guide us to the source of power for doing it, they, in themselves, are not doing the will of God, so they are not "meat" for our soul, and can not produce the least bit of spiritual growth or Divine virtue. Our bodies gain nothing from meat by learning about the farm it came from, who raised it, where it can be obtained, and having it set before us. We must eat it to gain the benefits of it. The life of the soul is nourished by the spirit that is one with it, and so long as it is one with the spirit of this world, it can only be fed with, grow in, and reflect a life of pride, lust, envy, and wrath. The "meat" for Life to our soul is to believe that the gospel is the power of God to free our soul from its union with the spirit of this world, to unite it with the Spirit of Jesus, and to draw its life from Him, whereby it is influenced, or nourished, by nothing but His self-less love, humility, long-suffering, and total resignation to God. Till we eat that meat, no amount church attendance, participation in religious activities, Bible study, or consumption of Christian literature will help us to any Spiritual growth or Divine virtue.