Moment With The Master
“Kindness of God”
Categories: Moment With The Masteras newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious." (1 Peter 2:2-3)
In the context, Peter has reminded his audience of the incorruptible word of God by which they had been born into God's family (1 Peter 1:23). He now exhorts these new disciples to desire the milk of the word so that they can grow to maturity.
Apparently, Psalm 34 is important to Peter, for at least twice he cites the Psalm in this letter. Perhaps the parallel is that both the Psalm and Peter’s letter speak of the affliction of the righteous (Psalm 34:19, 1Peter 4:16). In this context, Peter quotes the Psalm to remind them of the goodness of God.
The Greek word chrestotes signifies graciousness or kindness. Peter says "the Lord is gracious"! Peter uses this to motivate his readers to pursue spiritual growth. He knows that these who have tasted the sweetness of God will long for more. “Your taste of God's goodness is just a foretaste of what is possible!”
The road to spiritual maturity starts with a desire of the word. It is by the influence of the word they will grow. God’s word is the true spiritual food for the soul. His word is also sweet to taste (Psalm 19:10). When one does not feast upon God’s spiritual food they are not growing, and if starved long enough they will die spiritually.
Our word “kindness” is also found in Titus 3:4. Paul is exhorting these immature, contentious, unruly Cretans to be gentle. It was the kindness of God that softened their hearts and moved them to remove the hate (Titus 3:3) and replace it with meekness (Titus 3:2).
God's goodness is not an excuse to spiritual laziness but should be an incentive to diligence. Anyone who pursues God will surely taste his kindness. Experiencing in his graciousness will surely leave one desiring more.
By George Slover
