There are two key things that we need to do: we need to rid ourselves of the old way of living; in its place we are to crave the things of God. Malice, hypocrisy, deceit, envy and slander are present in so many aspects of life. They can be found in politics, in the work place, at school, in neighbourhoods. These things have no place in the kingdom of God. Sadly they can sometimes be found in churches, and we should continually examine ourselves to ensure that they are not creeping into our own life, and if they are, then root them out with all haste.
Peter is continuing the theme of new birth. We are born again, and like new born babies we are to crave pure spiritual milk. We are to long for the word of God, to pray to God, to know the Holy Spirit, to fellowship with other Christians, to praise God. All these things help us to grow up in our salvation. The New Testament repeatedly sees salvation as something we already have, something we are receiving and something we will receive. That is why the analogy if new birth is some appropriate. Becoming a Christian marks a dramatic change in direction, the start of a new life. Yet it is only the beginning of the process. Jesus called us to make disciples. Just as it would be tragic for a baby to always be a baby, a Christian who does not grow and mature is equally tragic. There is a continual growth.
Peter provides motivation for this in referring to the fact that we have tasted that the Lord is good. We have experienced something of God. This can include intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual. The Lord made every bit of us and every bit of the universe, and becoming a Christian involves experiencing the Lord in all aspects of life.
Peter is continuing the theme of new birth. We are born again, and like new born babies we are to crave pure spiritual milk. We are to long for the word of God, to pray to God, to know the Holy Spirit, to fellowship with other Christians, to praise God. All these things help us to grow up in our salvation. The New Testament repeatedly sees salvation as something we already have, something we are receiving and something we will receive. That is why the analogy if new birth is some appropriate. Becoming a Christian marks a dramatic change in direction, the start of a new life. Yet it is only the beginning of the process. Jesus called us to make disciples. Just as it would be tragic for a baby to always be a baby, a Christian who does not grow and mature is equally tragic. There is a continual growth.
Peter provides motivation for this in referring to the fact that we have tasted that the Lord is good. We have experienced something of God. This can include intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual. The Lord made every bit of us and every bit of the universe, and becoming a Christian involves experiencing the Lord in all aspects of life.
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