“So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.
1 Peter 2:1-3
For some reason, I thought of this verse this morning while out running on the beach on our vacation in Mexico. It dawned on me that we should have a desire to know God, read his word, dwell in his presence — although many “Christians” do not. Somewhere along the way we have lot our fervor, our desire, our longing to be close to Him.
In this passage, Peter is comparing newborn babies who crave milk to believers (not just brand new ones) who “must crave pure spiritual milk.” Just like babies crave milk from the mother, so we who proclaim Jesus as Lord should crave spiritual nourishment so that we will “grow into a full experience of salvation.” Peter tells us that we should — “Cry out for this nourishment now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.”
Babies receive milk from their mothers without thought. They cry out and the mother responds and they are satisfied until hunger strikes them again. How much more shall we, who have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, cry out for God’s spiritual nourishment?
How do we receive this nourishment? How do we “grow into a full experience of salvation”? First, we repent of sin. As Peter said, “get rid of all evil behavior.” He says “Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. ” How could gossip hinder our relationship with God? Why does talking badly about someone limit my experience with the Father? What’s the tie between jealously and holiness? These are examples of evil behavior! And the list gets longer!
But we who have been saved must get rid of this evil behavior and now crave spiritual nourishment so that we can be everything the Lord has called us to be. We begin by allowing Christ to change our behavior, we read his word, pray to the Father and strive to be holy as he indeed is holy.
“O Lord God, you are good. I am a recipient of your grace. Come now Holy Spirit, fill me with your power and love. Help me be all you have called and created me to become. Turn my wailing into laughter and my mourning into joy. Empower me to live for you, giving thanks in all circumstances, and bearing witness the Son who is Savior of All. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen