Family Matters

I Peter 2:1-10

1 Peter 1: 3 says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”. In the first part of Chapter Two, Peter continues to give the reader reasons we have for hope.

Peter starts by instructing the reader to rid themselves from malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. These vices keep the child of God from living a hope-filled life that honors God. He then goes on to encourage them to “crave pure spiritual milk”. (1 Peter 2:1-3) God’s Word is the source of spiritual nourishment that the believer needs to experience new, hope-filled life. If a child of God stops feeding on the Word, he becomes unhealthy and stops growing. This keeps him from enjoying the grace and peace of God working in his lives. The child of God who feasts on the Word gets the spiritual nourishment needed to live as a stranger in this world and live in the hope that new life in Christ brings.

The next reason that Peter gives for hope is that we can take our place in the building God is constructing – the Church. (1Peter 2:4-8) Jesus is described as the living stone because He was raised from the dead on the third day. He is now the foundation for the church. (Matthew 16:17-19) We take our place in the church as we act as priests and offer God spiritual acts of worship. (Romans 12:1-2) For those who do not believe and are unwilling to worship Him, Jesus becomes a stumbling block.

Finally, Peter describes our place as God’s children in the People of God. Peter is very careful with His description of God’s people. 1 Peter 2:9 describes the child of God as a “chosen people, royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness in His wonderful light.” When we understand who we are in Christ and the place we have in the “people of God”, we will gain strength for our journey and find hope for hard times.

Clear Application Questions for Today

Do you hunger for the “pure spiritual milk” of the Word of God? What adjustments do you need to make in your life to make more time to get into God’s Word?
Do you actively serve God and offer him the worship He deserves? What evidence is there in your life that you belong to the “People of God”?

Do you understand your place in the “people of God.” Read 1 Peter 2:10 to be reminded on the change that has happened in your life.