Spiritual Milk ( 1 Peter 1 - 2:3)


Read 1 Peter 1 - 2:3

In chapter one, Peter writes to the believers scattered throughout Asia Minor. He writes about the new birth through the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the strength of their faith despite the trials they are going through. He calls them to be obedient and holy children, not living as they did before they became believers. He reminds them that they are "born again" of "imperishable seed" through the Word of God. This brings us to chapter 2 where Peter tells them to rid themselves of all "malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of all kinds" (1 Peter 2:1) because they aught to be like newborn babies. This new birth comes through the direct actions of the Holy Spirit, by the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23). We can see a connection between being "born again" in chapter 1 and being "newborn babies" in chapter 2. The example of a healthy baby's hunger for milk is compared to the hunger and thirst for the gospel that new Christians ought to have. Peter does not speak about milk the way it's referred to in 1 Corinthians 3:2. Milk,  here, is not a negative comparison to solid food, but it is an appropriate nourishment for feeding babies so they can grow up. Peter is encouraging them to seek spiritual nourishment the way a baby seeks physical nourishment. 

So, what does this all mean for us? It's quite simple, really. We are to hunger and thirst for the Word of God. We should seek God daily as if life depends on it because the reality is that our lives do depend on it. If you stop eating the "bread of life" and drinking "spiritual milk" your faith will die. Seek God daily in His Word and hunger for the preaching of the gospel that your faith may grow. Live as one who has been born again, not dwelling in sin but as one who has tasted and seen that the Lord is good.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Desiring Children Part 1

Image
Read Genesis 16, and Genesis 18:1-15 The desire for children is something many struggle with. Some struggle to get pregnant, some struggle with the loss of pregnancies, and some struggle with the lack of control over having children. These are not new difficulties but have been the struggles of many women dating all the way back to Biblical times. While I personally never struggled with getting pregnant, I wrestled with the desire for and the loss of children. I know the constant anxiety of wondering if each month was the one I'd get pregnant in; many times, I cried out to God to let me have a child to hold and keep. Nine times I prayed that God would let each child live. Nine times I was denied, and my child was called to our heavenly home. The desire for children is something most people eventually feel at some point but most take for granted that it will all go as they expect. We simply don't think of all that can go wrong, until it does. You're not alone in your strugg
Read more

Cleanse me, oh God!

Image
As a child, I often liked to play outside. Like many kids, I liked making mud pies and playing with dirt. There's several ways children will play; some get right down on their hands and knees or even sit right in the mud. They're not afraid to get dirty. Some, like me, liked to play with the mud but didn't really want to get filthy. I would crouch down and use sticks and occasionally use my hands. I wanted to have fun but didn't really want to get messy. Then, there are still other children who don't want to play with mud or have anything to do with getting dirty. But you can never truly avoid all puddles, especially when it's raining. In a way, you can compare the mud to sin. Some people wallow in their sin, loving every minute and not caring how dirty they get. Others want to have the fun and pleasure sin can bring but don't want to get too dirty. It's just a little fun. And then there are those who, by God's grace, strive to live a life apart from
Read more

Slaves and masters. A series on Ephesians Part 12 (Ephesians 6:5-9)

Image
Read Ephesians 6: 5-9 Today's text is a difficult subject. Slavery was not part of God's intended design, so why do we see it in the Bible? Paul does not condone slavery; however, because of the socioeconomic situation of the Roman occupation, it was an embedded institution. The Christians Paul wrote to were subject to Roman laws, and therefore, many Jews were either slaves or masters.  Paul wrote a lot about our attitudes and how we should live our lives in the various roles we are placed in. This is why he wrote to slaves and masters. As with so many of his instructions, Paul addresses both perspectives and points them to God. No matter your station or status in this life, we are equal, in Christ, before God. Although we do not have slavery in our society here now, we can compare this relationship to that of an employer and employee. We can look at what Paul instructs and use it in whatever our job is here and now. What, then, should we ascertain from today's passage? Thr
Read more