1 Peter 2:1-3

Pastor Dave explained that the word so that begins this week’s passage points us back to what came before: Love one another earnestly from a pure heart. Peter tells us to get rid of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander so that we can love one another. Before the Lord, confess that these sinful traits are in you. There are no exceptions; we all have a fallen human nature. Ask Him to help you with the continual task of weed-pulling, of getting rid of these traits that hinder love.

This week’s passage adds a command to the list of our responsibilities in salvation: Long for the word of God. The analogy of a newborn longing for milk emphasizes how we are to long for God’s word – intensely, eagerly, passionately, as a matter of life and death. Do those words describe your attitude toward the Bible? Or are words like casually, lackadaisically, reluctantly a better description? The first thing to do is to be honest with the Lord. Then ask Him to develop in you a pressing need to know what He says, a desire so strong that you prioritize the Bible over TV, social media, or whatever is taking too much of your time.

As we drink deeply of the pure spiritual milk of God’s word, we grow up into Christian maturity. Dave added the caution that, as we read the Bible, we will find parts that are hard and even offensive. Will we long for it then? Before the Lord, decide in advance that when what He says something you don’t like, you won’t reject it saying, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” Affirm in His presence that the words He has spoken are life for you.

In Christ,

Carol Gilbert

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