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 that newborn babies have only their mother and father to take care of them. They are helpless, wholly dependent from top to bottom – from tip to toe and their caregiver. We know 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, just as little newborn babies are wholly dependent on their parents; we Christians, likewise, are dependent on God.

New Christians soon realize that they have limited power in themselves. Sadly, we often forget that we have access or right to the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. We also became aware that there was a longing in our heart, an appetite for the things of God. As we began to spend time in the Bible, we find that we were being fed spiritually. We become conscious that we were not strong enough on our own; we need the Holy Spirit to hold us up.

The Apostle Peter describes or explains it in a way that invites us to share in this new experience. Peter points out that this new attitude in us is the same as newborn babies’ desire for milk; ours is spiritual milk, a desire for the nourishment of the Word of God. We have tasted the Lord’s kindness and trustworthiness. We understand that this new desire in our heart can be fed by reading the Bible and spending time in prayer. The more we read, the more we think about it, the stronger our faith grows.

I have also become aware that I am only a visitor here on earth; my real home is in heaven. Now my desire with the help of the Holy Spirit is to keep away from evil things in this world. This evil desire is not meant for those who are in Christ, because it fights our new attitude that we have found in Jesus Christ. We now understand that no Christian can stay the way they were before meeting Christ. Therefore, the Apostle Peter urges us to have no part in the evil pleasures of this world. Instead, we are to set our hearts on that which nourishes our growth in a Christ-filled life.

When we talk about a Christ-filled life, we are talking about a life of reverence. It is an attitude of our mind, which makes us aware that we are always in the presence of God. Life for the Christian is like living in the very shadow of eternity. We do not only think where we are this very moment but also where we are going. We live in Christ today and long for the full realization of eternity. Life in this world should be very important to us because it is leading to the life beyond.

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 is waiting for us. I cannot think of a Christian who would want to throw away unlimited joy, which is there for us. Christ-filled life reveals a sincere love of others. We must always remember that we have been reborn, not of earthly parents, but the heavenly Spirit. Reborn by the Spirit of God in Christ Jesus, we have been remade. As disciples of the Living Christ, the Holy Spirit lives in us to transform us into the very likeness of God… To God Be the Glory!

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 do not have the peace in my heart that I yearn for. I really want that Peace, joy and happiness that will fulfill my heart’s desire. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will honor Your Name.” Amen.