Perspectives

1 Peter 2: 1-3 … 1) Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2) Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3) now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (NIV)

The apostle Peter calls us “newborn babies.” We know infants have but their mother and father to take care of them. They are totally helpless and dependent from the rising of the sun to the going down of the sun. We know that they need food, clothing, and a place to live. They need a mother and father who will provide the necessary protection and needs of a family. I suppose the apostle is saying that we, as Christians are totally dependent on God.

New Christians/believers soon realize that becoming followers of Christ does not give us special power. However, as followers we understand that we have access or right to the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. As we grow in faith we also become aware of the longing in our heart, a new appetite for the things of God. As we begin to spend time reading the Bible we find that we were being fed spiritually. We become conscious that we are not strong enough on our own; we need the Holy Spirit and the community of faith – the church – to hold us up.  The apostle Peter describes or explains it in such a way that we can share this new experience. Peter says that this new life within us is the same as a newborn babes’ desire for milk. Ours is spiritual milk, we have tasted of the Lord’s goodness and trustworthiness. We understand that this new desire in our heart can be fed by searching scripture and spending time in prayer. The more we read the Word of God, the more we think about it, and the stronger our faith grows.

Growing up in our salvation invites us to realize that we are really only a visitor on earth. Our real home is being prepared for us in heaven. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we seek to keep away from the evil that seeks to disrupt and corrupt our relationship with Christ. We understand that no Christian can really stay the way he or she was. Therefore, the apostle Peter urges us to have no part in that which would detract from our relationship with Christ and hinder our spiritual growth. Rather, we are to set our heart on that which can help us mature in our faith and enjoy a Christ-filled life

When we talk about a Christ-filled life we mean to say that it is a life of reverence. It is an attitude of my mind which makes me aware that I am always in the presence of God. Therefore, life for us Christians is like living in the very shadow of eternity. We do not only think where we are at the present, but also where we are going; we are going to live with Christ. That means life in this world should be very important to us because it is leading to the life beyond.

I think you would agree that we as Christians can never forget what it cost for us to have eternal life. It cost the life and death of none other than Jesus Christ. Life to us becomes so important that we do not want to waste or throw away the glory that awaits us. I cannot think of a Christian who would want to throw away unlimited joy which is there for us. The Christ-filled life is life that must show a sincere desire to love others. We must always remember that we have been reborn, not of earthly parents, but of the Holy Spirit. Reborn by the Spirit of God in Christ Jesus, we have been remade. Because we have been reborn or remade; the Holy Spirit lives in us to transform us into the very likeness of God. You and I know that the primary attributes of God is love. Therefore, if we have been reborn or remade into Gods image it is natural for us to love one another.

Would you pray this prayer with me . . .  “Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I don’t have peace in my heart, I really want that peace, joy and happiness that I long for. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will bring honour to Your Name.” Amen