Two Essentials for Life
Two Essentials for Life
1 Peter 2:1-8
“Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.”
During the holiday season, the one question that will be universally asked is, “What do you want for Christmas?” As we approach the celebration of Christmas and the gift exchange with family and friends, we do not want to buy someone the proverbial “ugly sweater” they will never wear. We want to buy a gift that people will enjoy and use. Consequently, we ask the question, and we want people to list what they would like so we can purchase a gift they will appreciate.
As Christians, what should be our desire? If someone would ask us, “What do we want spiritually this Christmas,” what would we answer? In these verses, Peter gives us two essentials we should have at the center of our wish list regarding our relationship with God. He uses two analogies to point to two things we should set our desire upon.
In the first analogy, Peter uses the illustration of newborn babies. Growing up on the farm, when a calf was born, it always amazed me how instinctively the calf would immediately seek the mother's milk. As soon as it could stand, it would search for the mother's udder to start feeding on the rich, life-giving milk. No one taught them. The rancher does not need to take the calf and show it where to find its life-giving food. It is an ingrained and natural desire the calf has so that the first thing it does after being able to stand is to begin nuzzling the cow to find the udder and obtain the life-giving milk. Without this desire, the calf would quickly lose strength and die.
For Peter, the natural desire of babies for milk perfectly illustrates our desire for the instruction of the Bible. The Bible is the spiritual food for those who desire to grow in Christ. It is what gives spiritual strength and vitality. Without a steady diet of the Scriptures, we will become spiritually weak, sickly, and even die. Our desire to know and live by the Bible reveals our spiritual health. The word “long for” is a strong word, and it speaks of a deep desire and craving that we should have for the truth of God’s word that gives us life. Just as milk is the substance of life for a baby, the Bible is the substance and source of life for the Christian. We are to desire the “pure milk of the word.” It is unmixed with impurities. We desire to receive the uncontaminated and unadulterated word. The Bible is without error and has as its sole purpose the nourishment of our spiritual life.
The second foundation (to now mix the metaphors) upon which we must strive to build our life is the cornerstone of Christ himself. The cornerstone was the foundational stone upon which the building was constructed. It would be comparable to our modern footing. Without a proper footing and foundation, the house, no matter how elaborate, becomes a death trap for those living there. The same is true of our spiritual lives. We are to construct our life upon the foundation of Christ. Just as the Word gives us nourishment, Christ and His example and teaching give us the foundation upon which we are to build our lives.
The teaching of the Bible and the person of Christ should be the longing of every Christian. Our spiritual health and growth are built upon these two truths. If we ignore the Bible, if we live life without being centered upon the person of Christ, we are building a life that is defective and unhealthy and will eventually lead to destruction. As we approach Christmas and people ask us, “What do we want?” it serves as an excellent reminder to evaluate what is truly important and what is genuinely the basis for a healthy spiritual life. The one desire we should have is the instruction of scripture and the knowledge of Christ. If not, then we need to refocus our lives and priorities. They are the two essentials for our spiritual life.
1 Peter 2:1-8
“Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.”
During the holiday season, the one question that will be universally asked is, “What do you want for Christmas?” As we approach the celebration of Christmas and the gift exchange with family and friends, we do not want to buy someone the proverbial “ugly sweater” they will never wear. We want to buy a gift that people will enjoy and use. Consequently, we ask the question, and we want people to list what they would like so we can purchase a gift they will appreciate.
As Christians, what should be our desire? If someone would ask us, “What do we want spiritually this Christmas,” what would we answer? In these verses, Peter gives us two essentials we should have at the center of our wish list regarding our relationship with God. He uses two analogies to point to two things we should set our desire upon.
In the first analogy, Peter uses the illustration of newborn babies. Growing up on the farm, when a calf was born, it always amazed me how instinctively the calf would immediately seek the mother's milk. As soon as it could stand, it would search for the mother's udder to start feeding on the rich, life-giving milk. No one taught them. The rancher does not need to take the calf and show it where to find its life-giving food. It is an ingrained and natural desire the calf has so that the first thing it does after being able to stand is to begin nuzzling the cow to find the udder and obtain the life-giving milk. Without this desire, the calf would quickly lose strength and die.
For Peter, the natural desire of babies for milk perfectly illustrates our desire for the instruction of the Bible. The Bible is the spiritual food for those who desire to grow in Christ. It is what gives spiritual strength and vitality. Without a steady diet of the Scriptures, we will become spiritually weak, sickly, and even die. Our desire to know and live by the Bible reveals our spiritual health. The word “long for” is a strong word, and it speaks of a deep desire and craving that we should have for the truth of God’s word that gives us life. Just as milk is the substance of life for a baby, the Bible is the substance and source of life for the Christian. We are to desire the “pure milk of the word.” It is unmixed with impurities. We desire to receive the uncontaminated and unadulterated word. The Bible is without error and has as its sole purpose the nourishment of our spiritual life.
The second foundation (to now mix the metaphors) upon which we must strive to build our life is the cornerstone of Christ himself. The cornerstone was the foundational stone upon which the building was constructed. It would be comparable to our modern footing. Without a proper footing and foundation, the house, no matter how elaborate, becomes a death trap for those living there. The same is true of our spiritual lives. We are to construct our life upon the foundation of Christ. Just as the Word gives us nourishment, Christ and His example and teaching give us the foundation upon which we are to build our lives.
The teaching of the Bible and the person of Christ should be the longing of every Christian. Our spiritual health and growth are built upon these two truths. If we ignore the Bible, if we live life without being centered upon the person of Christ, we are building a life that is defective and unhealthy and will eventually lead to destruction. As we approach Christmas and people ask us, “What do we want?” it serves as an excellent reminder to evaluate what is truly important and what is genuinely the basis for a healthy spiritual life. The one desire we should have is the instruction of scripture and the knowledge of Christ. If not, then we need to refocus our lives and priorities. They are the two essentials for our spiritual life.
Recent
Archive
2024
January
The Coming JudgmentThat is My KingThe Certainty of Christ's WordsThe Uncertain CertaintyThe Importance of Spiritual PreparednessThe Danger of Spiritual ComplacencyChrist's Measure of SuccessThe Unpopular TopicRejection, Confusion, Betrayal, and WorshipBetrayal and RedemptionThe Inexplicable Act of LoveBetrayal, Bravado, and FearBetrayal, Bravado, and FearThe Unlikely Witnesses of Jesus' DietyRemorse, Repentance and ForgivenessThe Power of the Crowd and the Power of FaithThe Irony of the CrucifixionThe Cost of SinThe Cure for SinThe Reality of the ResurrectionLiving a Life of SignificanceThe Attitude of a SlaveThe Basis for Confident LivingThe Basis for Confident Living
February
The Prayer God AnswersWhen Adversity Becomes a TriumphFinding Joy in the Ministry of OthersPursuing the InsignificantPerspective in SufferingThe Sacrifice of SelfIf God can do it, then why can't we.The "Kenosis" of Christ"THE NAME"Divine Initiative and Human ResponsibilityThe Age of ComplaintReorienting our Focus Pt 1
March
Reorienting Our Focus Pt 2The Basis of SalvationDetermining ValueSetting the Right Goal in LifeFollowing the Right PeopleRecognizing our CitizenshipResponding to ConflictThe Keys to PeaceLearning to Think RightlyThe Secret of ContentmentThe Blessing of GivingA Life without SignificanceThe Futility of LifeThe Endless PursuitThe Futility of PleasureThe Limits of WisdomEvaluating Our WorkFinding Joy in LifeThe Doctrine of Right Time
April
May
Finding BalanceThe Folly of AllObeying Those in LeadershipWhen Injustice ReignsKeeping Perspective in an Upredictable WorldFinding Success in the World of VanityThe Value of Wisdom in the Struggles of LifeThe Danger of Foolish ThinkingTrusting in God's Unseen HandEnjoy the MomentAct before it is too late.The Geneology of Christ: A Testimony of God’s Grace and SovereigntyChrist the KingThe Authority of Christ
June
The Compassion of ChristThe God who cares for us.The Power of JesusThe ServantChrist the JudgeThe Compassion of ChristScandalous GraceThe Power of Christ Over DeathWho Is Jesus?The Majestic KingThe TIming of GodThe Value of NothingThe Basis for Security in LifeThe Joy of The FatherThe Grace of JesusThe Divine WordThe Greatest Prayer
Categories
no categories
No Comments