October 12
“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 2:1-3.
The apostle Peter continues with his admonitions that Christians should change their way of life and put aside the characteristics of their old sinful nature. He mentions a number of the evils against which we must battle: “All malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking.” There is malice, wickedness of every kind; deceit, lying and deceiving and listening to the devil, the father of lies; hypocrisy, the art of the make-believer, pretending to be a Christian or a member of God’s family; envy, thinking only of self and being envious of what others have and can do; and all evil speaking, slandering our neighbor, thinking that one makes himself look good by making others look bad!
The matter of slandering and thinking that one makes himself look good by making others look bad reaches its high point in the field of politics, especially during the campaign season prior to every election! Particularly, all politicians ought to commit to memory the Word of God that says, “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren,” James 4:11, and, “He who speaks lies will not escape,” Proverbs 19:5. Sooner or later, a liar gets caught! The words are attributed to Abraham Lincoln: No man can tell the same lie the same way twice. Because what one is saying is not based upon facts or reality, one cannot remember how he lied the previous time!
As Christians who still have an old sinful nature, we must battle against the evils that can destroy our faith. As newborn babies who desire the pure milk of their mothers so that they might stay alive and grow, so we, as Christians, should desire the pure milk of God’s Word. That pure milk of God’s Word is the Gospel, which brings us to faith in Jesus as God’s Son and our Savior. That pure milk is the love of God in Christ Jesus, which encourages us and brings about spiritual growth. That pure milk keeps us in the faith and enables us to live a truly Christian life.
Spiritual growth will take place, as Peter writes, “If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” If, indeed, you believe that God is merciful and gracious, and that He has forgiven you all your sins for Jesus’ sake, then there will be spiritual growth. For spiritual growth, go to the foot of the cross at Calvary and hear the Lord Jesus cry out, “It is finished!” John 19:30. Firmly believe that your redemption was completed by the Son of God and your Savior, whose holy, precious blood washed away all your sins.
Then journey in spirit to the open, empty tomb and likewise believe that Jesus rose from the grave. He conquered death and the devil. We have a risen, living Redeemer and an ever-living Lord who has gone on before us to prepare a place for us, and He is coming again to take us into our eternal home in heaven.
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?
“Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed;
For I am Thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.” Amen.