SCRIPTURE
1 Peter 2:1 So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. 2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, 3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.
OBSERVATION
Peter powerfully commands Christians to change their behavior in verses 1-3. A Christian life includes behavior changes… that are achievable. But we must consider the context of the few verses prior (1:22-25) In essence Peter said (my paraphrase) “You’re forgiven. You know Jesus, so love each other deeply. You’re a new creation and life is short.”
So in 2:1-3, Christians are directed to behave differently, crave the gospel – to desire Jesus, be nourished to experience the fulness of their salvation – because they tasted God’s kindness.
APPLICATION
You gotta admit. Our culture and world is steeped in a “how I look, how I perform” persona.
Being in Christ should influence our behavior and lifestyle as Christians. But Christian behavior must never be my goal. We are encouraged to live for and be like Jesus. But sometimes we tend to “perform” Biblical behaviors resulting in a “performance-oriented” relationship with God.
- My behavior should not dictate or influence my believing or faith in Jesus.
- My belonging to Jesus is never determined by my behavior for Him. I am reminded that no matter what my behavior, because of who Jesus is and what He’s accomplished, I BELONG TO GOD. My belonging is not determined by my behavior.
- Because I BELIEVE IN JESUS, I always belong TO JESUS! Nothing can separate me from His love and belonging to Him!
PRAYER
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for always accepting me, never rejecting me, based on my performance. And thank you Holy Spirit for Your conviction in me, to desire to crave the Godhead and Gospel to be preeminent in my life. I want to behave and think more holy than I have been. Thank You for Your grace and help in this area. And thank You that I always belong to You because You gave me the faith to beleive in You! WOWZAH! I LOVE YOU!
