SCRIPTURE | 1 Peter 2:1–3 “Therefore, laying aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have TASTED THE KINDNESS OF THE LORD.”
OBSERVATION | First, we learn from “therefore” as it points us back and teacheshow godliness is the outcome of an exalted understanding of scripture (See verses 22-25 and devo). True good deeds for God’s glory are what we are given new life for (Eph 2:10). Yet they must glorify God when they are true-living and holy worship (Rom 12:1-2). Worship is the right response to who God is and what He’s done. Here in our passage, “therefore” teaches us that this worshipful response to God is a response to His living and enduring Word (1 Pt 1:23).
Second, we learn of how the sin of “malice… deceit… hypocrisy… envy, and slander” hinder our longing for the Word. These all whet the appetite of our sinfulness. They satisfy the wicked craving of our hearts (Jer 17:9). Growth in holiness cannot come if we are filling ourselves with such vile selections. The worldlings convince themselves they are satisfied with these, but there is no place for them in the life of a true believer. He is to “lay aside all” of them, not leaving a trace to be found in his life. This requires daily discipline, through repentance and faith. And it must be so, or the longing and the Word will have no place to fill us instead.
Third, we learn how the hunger “for the pure milk of the Word” of God is the cause of growth for those who are saved. The “pure milk” is an illustration of the extreme and necessary longing of a “newborn baby.” Without that longing the baby will not notify his mother with cries and be fed. Without that longing the baby will not eat and grow. Without this longing a baby would starve and eventually die. So too we are “like newborn babies” who require a pure substance to nurture and grow us. God loves imagery, and the image He gives us here is of the true believer as a “newborn baby,” and the Holy Word of God as “pure milk.” Furthermore, “growing in respect to salvation” is as growing in respect to being born. In other words, no one is truly born again and does not desire the milk of the Word and grow in that respect.
Forth, we learn of the necessity of true “salvation” for this hunger from the words “if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.” All true believers have fully tasted of God’s undeserved kindness. In other words, those who are truly born again, like newborn babies, do in fact hunger for more of what they have tasted. More of God, through His Word.
APPLICATION | Are you actively and daily “laying aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander?” Do you hunger for the Word of God like a baby does for milk? Are you growing as a Christian or backsliding? If you answer negatively about any of these, take action in faith today. Repent and turn to the Lord in His Word. Feast yourself on the Word often so that you know just how sweet it is and always long for more.
PRAYER | Father, I do not hunger for your Word like I ought to. I do not eat of your word as seriously and regularly as a newborn baby. But I need your Word in my life. So, do not let me go through this day without devoting my time to reading, studying, memorizing and listening to some faithful preacher teach it. Let me never be satisfied without more and more of your Word in my life. So, that I might taste more of Your kindness, and grow more for Your glory alone. Amen.
