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About-Him.Com Devotional 03-31-2019 Http://About-Him.Com 1 Peter 2:1-3 - The Sincere Milk of the Word Peter is writing to new believers. It is obvious that they aren’t perfect and have a lot of hang-ups that hinder their spiritual growth. Unfortunately the same thing can be said for some of us who have been around for a long time. We may be imperfect but that does not mean that we don’t have life. Having life means that we are capable of growing and becoming conformed to the image of the Son of God, to which we were predestined (Ro. 8:29). Actually everything that lives, grows and develops. We don’t quit growing, until we die. In the first chapter, Peter had stressed their redemption and urged them on to holiness and unfeigned love of the brethren. Perhaps some at that point, felt that they just didn’t measure up, so what’s the use of going on? This of course is the devil’s favorite tool. It is obvious that Peter recognized that these believers, although being imperfect, had become new creatures in Christ. 1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: Peter addresses them as “new born babes.” A baby is weak, helpless and ignorant. However, the baby has a natural instinct for food. I noticed this recently with our new born great-grand-daughter, Shelby. When she got hungry, she let it be known. She also knew where the supply of milk was and was doing all in her feeble power to access it. You get the picture, I’m sure. When our children were babies, we did everything in our power to make our homes safe and “baby proof.” We made sure that their cribs were safe. We checked their toys to be sure that their was nothing that they could choke on. When they began to crawl and then run, we had a whole new set of challenges. Experience and the wisdom of others told us what the baby needed for proper nutrition and the things to look out for so that they would not be injured. Peter, in his letter to these new believers, is doing the same thing. He is making sure that their spiritual environment is conducive to their continued spiritual growth. They are to get rid of all malice and all guile and all evil speaking, along with hypocrisies and evil speech. It looks to me that by using the word all three times in one short phrase, Peter was trying to make a point, that being that the word all means all, or, what part of the word all don’t we understand? Malice is defined as, “A desire to harm others or to see others suffer; extreme ill will or spite.” Not exactly a Christian virtue, is it? Guile is defined as being treacherous, cunning and skillfully deceitful. Hypocrisy refers to an actor playing a part and evil speaking needs no definition. All of these are hangovers from our old self. They are works of our flesh and must be eradicated. They hinder Christian growth and development and left unchecked, lead to spiritual death. Also, it has been shown that such things as these greatly affect out physical health, as well. The antidote for these fleshly conditions? The Word of God. The Bible gives us the very mind of God. It was written over a period of 1500 years as God inspired holy men of old (2 Peter 1:21) and is thoroughly consistent. How could it be otherwise when it speaks the very heart and mind of our Creator? 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. The Word, being God inspired shows us that in our natural state we are condemned before God. The Word details what sin is and tells us that God cannot look on sin. It also shows us the cure for sin i.e. the blood of Jesus. The Word lets us know that Jesus shed His blood for the remission of our sins and that when God sees the blood, He will pass over us. The blood is the only thing that will be acceptable in the sight of God. Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. The New Testament gives us the Life of Jesus and also affirms His absolute Deity. It was written by ordinary men who had walked and talked with Jesus. They saw His death and also His resurrection. They were empowered by His spirit to preach the Word to all who would listen. They charged others to preach the life giving Word, to reprove, rebuke and exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. Why? Because Jesus would be returning and He will judge the living and to dead, by the precepts that are written in His Word. 2 Timothy 4:1 ¶ I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. Psalms 19:7 ¶ The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD [are] right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD [is] pure, enlightening the eyes. The Psalmist said that the Word of the Lord was sweeter than honey in his mouth. It was by the precepts of the Word that He gained understanding The entrance of the Word gave light and understanding to the simple (Ps. 119:103,104,130). 1 Peter 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Yes, we like the early disciples recognize that we are not perfect. We have indeed had a taste of the Lord’s glory and we know that there is nothing in this world to go back to. When the old habits and ways of thinking assault us, we can be thankful for God’s holy Word, that gives us necessary instruction and correction and also assurances of His great love as he reveals His perfect will to us. Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ: Song: Wash me and Cleanse Me A sinner can no more repent and believe without the Holy Spirit's aid than he can create a world. - Charles Spurgeon Thoughts on the Life of Christ, Thoughts on Faith - Hebrews 11, Thoughts on the I AMs of Jesus, Thoughts on the Lord's Prayer, Thoughts on the book of Romans, Thoughts on the book of Ephesians, Thought on the book of Philippians, Thoughts on the book of Colossians, Thoughts on the book of James, Thoughts on the book of 1st Peter, Thoughts on the book of 2nd Peter
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