1 Peter 2:1-2 Wherefore laying aside all malice and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.
Yes my Friends, that’s the way a true believer should develop; as a baby does. The infant Christian must first believe that Jesus is the end all and be all, then banish from our spirit all the evil works of the enemy; things like spitefulness, grudges, deceit, insincerity, jealousy and slander. As Bruh Paul says, ‘let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us…’ (Heb.12:1) And once we’re rid of the enemy’s baggage, ‘As newborn babes…’ Here Peter alludes to Jesus statement. ‘Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matt.18:13) In Jesus’ teaching, children are the epitome of innocence and purity, and His disciples continued that comparison. Then like hungry babies we ‘desire the sincere milk of the word, that we may grow thereby.’ Yes Friends, as a believer, especially a new one, we need to be excited about and very desirous of instilling the pure, undiluted word into our hearts and minds. That’s the only way we can grow. For unlike what many people think, you just don’t become a successful Christian overnight; meaning you believe, accept Jesus, and you’re home free. No Friends, there’s much more to the believer’s life. That’s only the beginning: Then like babies, as they grow and move from liquid to soft to solid food, so we need to learn the word, that we too can grow to maturity in the faith. Following in Jesus’ footsteps is not an easy task, and like most things in life, becoming an obedient foot soldier in His army, it’s a process we learn through study, experience, faith, hope, fellowship, prayer, trials and tribulation. That’s the cruel reality of being a Christian, but one that’s definitely worth the rewards promised by Jesus for our faithfulness. Bruh Paul drew the same comparative picture for the Corinthians in the early stages of their conversion, (1 Cor.3:1-3) saying he could not talk to them ‘as spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as babes unto Christ.’ because they were still caught up in the evil works of the enemy; the jealousy, strife and divisiveness, so ‘I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.’ Even after all Bruh Paul’s coaxing and teaching, they still weren’t ready to handle the tougher spiritual aspects of the faith. Just goes to show how difficult it can be to develop into a mature Christian. But then Friends, once we’ve been fed the milk of the word, and are growing in respect to salvation, Peter says, ‘If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.’ Bruh Paul declares, ‘But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared.’ (Tit.3:4) ‘And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come.’ (Heb.6:5) But Bruh David says it best. ‘O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.’ (Ps.34:8) Yes people, once we’ve experienced the Lord’s kindness and mercy, then we know we’re on the right path, ready to make the long, winding, uphill, down dale journey of a believer, looking to the end that’s Jesus. But Friends, it’s only the beginning. Much LOVE!…as babies need milk to thrive…we need the word to survive…
Yes my Friends, that’s the way a true believer should develop; as a baby does. The infant Christian must first believe that Jesus is the end all and be all, then banish from our spirit all the evil works of the enemy; things like spitefulness, grudges, deceit, insincerity, jealousy and slander. As Bruh Paul says, ‘let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us…’ (Heb.12:1) And once we’re rid of the enemy’s baggage, ‘As newborn babes…’ Here Peter alludes to Jesus statement. ‘Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matt.18:13) In Jesus’ teaching, children are the epitome of innocence and purity, and His disciples continued that comparison. Then like hungry babies we ‘desire the sincere milk of the word, that we may grow thereby.’ Yes Friends, as a believer, especially a new one, we need to be excited about and very desirous of instilling the pure, undiluted word into our hearts and minds. That’s the only way we can grow. For unlike what many people think, you just don’t become a successful Christian overnight; meaning you believe, accept Jesus, and you’re home free. No Friends, there’s much more to the believer’s life. That’s only the beginning: Then like babies, as they grow and move from liquid to soft to solid food, so we need to learn the word, that we too can grow to maturity in the faith. Following in Jesus’ footsteps is not an easy task, and like most things in life, becoming an obedient foot soldier in His army, it’s a process we learn through study, experience, faith, hope, fellowship, prayer, trials and tribulation. That’s the cruel reality of being a Christian, but one that’s definitely worth the rewards promised by Jesus for our faithfulness. Bruh Paul drew the same comparative picture for the Corinthians in the early stages of their conversion, (1 Cor.3:1-3) saying he could not talk to them ‘as spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as babes unto Christ.’ because they were still caught up in the evil works of the enemy; the jealousy, strife and divisiveness, so ‘I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.’ Even after all Bruh Paul’s coaxing and teaching, they still weren’t ready to handle the tougher spiritual aspects of the faith. Just goes to show how difficult it can be to develop into a mature Christian. But then Friends, once we’ve been fed the milk of the word, and are growing in respect to salvation, Peter says, ‘If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.’ Bruh Paul declares, ‘But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared.’ (Tit.3:4) ‘And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come.’ (Heb.6:5) But Bruh David says it best. ‘O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.’ (Ps.34:8) Yes people, once we’ve experienced the Lord’s kindness and mercy, then we know we’re on the right path, ready to make the long, winding, uphill, down dale journey of a believer, looking to the end that’s Jesus. But Friends, it’s only the beginning. Much LOVE!…as babies need milk to thrive…we need the word to survive…
SCRIP-BITS 