In yesterday’s post we began our study of the second chapter of 1 Peter by considering how a newborn baby naturally desires milk for physical nutrition. No one has to teach an infant how to drink; babies “take in” the nourishment of milk naturally.
We left off with some actions Peter calls for in verse 1:
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, (verse 1)
The next verse goes hand-in-hand with verse 1. That is, the negative actions of verse 1 (putting aside malice, deceit, etc.) are done in concert with the positive action of verse 2:
as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, (verse 2)
So we don’t do verse 1 without also doing verse 2. We will both “lay aside” specific sins (verse 1) and also “desire the pure milk of the Word” (verse 2).
Both actions are necessary. We must rid ourselves of sin AND feed ourselves with the Word. In fact, when you think about it, sin keeps you from the Word and the Word keeps you from sin.
So “drinking” from the Word of God enables Christians to live the life God has called them to live–and to really live that life! To enjoy it, to relish in it, and to grow in every sense of the word.
Just as newborn babies “take in” the nourishment of milk, so Christians “take in” the nourishment of God’s Word. Christians are to “desire” or “crave” or “long” for the nutritional Word every day.
Think about this: how does a newborn baby long for milk? Surely, in at least three ways: desperately, eagerly, and frequently! This is the same way Christians are to desire the pure milk of the Word:
Desperately. A baby cries out for milk. It yells for it. It yearns for it with desperation. “Give me milke or I die!” Do you yearn for the Word of God that way? Do you think of God’s Word as that which you must have each and every day or you die?
Eagerly. A baby can’t wait to drink. Is that the way you yearn for the Word of God? Do you think to yourself, “I can’t wait to drink from the milk of God’s Word!” If you consider the Bible boring or unnecessary, is it possible you don’t really know Christ? Christians have been “born again” with new natures that desire or long for the Word of the Lord.
Frequently. A newborn baby is not satisfied with just one meal a day, right? Gotta eat! Middle of the morning, middle of the day, middle of the night. Frequently. Our Lord Jesus reminds us in Matthew 4:4, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”
Let’s search our hearts and examine ourselves. How frequently do we hear or read the Word of the Lord that we may know more of the Lord of the Word?
Rid yourself of sin. Feed yourself with the Word.
What About You?
- Someone said, “The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.” How has this statement proven true in your life?
- “If you consider the Bible boring or unnecessary, is it possible you don’t really know Christ?” Do you agree with this statement?
- When do you take time to “take in” the milk of the Word each day?
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