Moment With The Master
“Growing in the Lord”
Categories: Moment With The Master
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as 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 2:1,2)
Just as there is danger if a child fails to grow, there is spiritual peril for a child of God who does not mature. The preposition “therefore” connects Peter’s admonition with previous thoughts. Having received spiritual life through the new birth, they must now move on to perfection.
To “grow” means to increase in stature or character. Growth is a sign that someone or something is living and vibrant. The fruit bearing tree is desired over the plant that is stagnant. It is rewarding for a child to grow in character. In like manner, it is refreshing for a child of God to mature, bear fruit for the Lord, and shine the light of Christ.
The child of God must remove some debris before God's word can have an impact. To “lay aside” implies a decisive action such as removing the clothes. Peter specifically lists those sins that would greatly hinder the fervent love he commanded in the previous chapter. (see1:22) They needed each other. They were team. The sins of envy, gossip, ill intent, and hypocrisy destroys relationships. They must remove these sins so God's word could work in their lives.
Peter acknowledges the word of God as the active agent that promotes the spiritual growth. Peter describes the kind of word that is desirable. Only the pure word of God will accomplish the desired results. Just as food tainted with poison is harmful to the physical body, God's word mixed with doctrines of men is spiritually harmful.
Peter further states that they were to desire the “milk” of the word. The sweet milk is used for nourishment in a young child. The milk would contain all the necessary nutrients to promote spiritual growth in these newborn Christians.
Furthermore, Peter encourages them to “desire” of the word. This is a strong admonition that means to yearn for or to crave. The imagery is an infant crying for food. Every Christian ought to have such a keen appetite for God's word.
Does this eager appetite for God's word describe you? The word of God should be sweet to our ears and hearts. Its wisdom is a treasure. But, it is even more precious when manifested in holiness of heart and life.
By George Slover
