“Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” (v1-3)
The old cliché is that if something starts with a ‘therefore’ we must look what it is there for. Peter has brought to us the glory and eternal character of God’s word, he then goes on to encourage us to receive it and cherish it. We are to desire the pure milk of the word. Desire is strong word; it is a deepest longing for the word of God.
Before we go into the desire, we must note that Peter tells us that we must get rid of something and that is anything that would hinder our walk with God. The writer to the Hebrews tells us that we must do this and fix our eyes on Jesus.
The list includes most of the so-called seven deadly sins. He starts with malice. One writer describes this as an all-inclusive word describing ill-will, with a desire to injure. Every kind of evil thought, motive, desire, word and action, appetite for evil, all without exception.
Deceit – craftiness, guile and deception and dishonesty with God and others. Lies and untruth, even flattery.
Hypocrisy – the acting of a stage player, putting on a mask, pretending to be something which we are not. Playing a part to gain approval and it is another form of pride.
Envy – This refers to “jealousy” or “spite”, and this can easily manifest itself within a local church where one envies another’s gifting. It also includes desiring what others have and is a form of covetousness for fame, fortune or a position of importance and authority over others. It can also imply being envious of the spiritual growth in other fellow believers instead of being thankful for one’s own growth in the grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus.
Evil speaking – Slander which is the defamation of another’s character. Speaking half-truths, spreading lies to bring someone else down. Destructive criticism and backbiting, aimed to destroy reputation or standing. I’m We are to rid ourselves of these works of the fleshly nature, with the Lord’s help, and desire God and His word. Then to have a healthy longing for the milk of the word, as babies desire a mother’s milk. Note that this is not just any milk, but the pure milk of the word. We have so many varieties of milk today, but this is pure. When we are born again, we are as newborn babies, and we start on milk. Someone has said that the sickly condition of many Christians displays the lamentable food with which they are supplied. They do not even get milk never mind the meat. Sadly, the church often resembles the wards of a children’s hospital.
I’m sure we don’t need to ask why we need to desire the pure milk of the word. It is, of course, so that we may grow. The bible tells us to taste and see that the Lord is good. We need to feed on Him continually. My dear wife is suffering a terminal illness and is told to feed little and often. This applies to feeding on the word of God, but not just little, also lots and often. It is important that we dig deeper into the word, read it often, and listen to solid teaching. We need to become more like Jesus, and we can only do that by being close to Him and knowing Him better.
If we have tasted the Lord’s graciousness, then we have every reason and desire to receive the word just as babies receive milk from their mother.
“Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (v4,5)
We are to come to Him as a living stone, rejected by men, but not by God. Rather, chosen and precious because He is building us up into a spiritual house. We are the temple of God built of living stones. Jesus was called a living stone, rejected by the builders but has become the chief corner stone, the most important stone in a building. All measurements are taken from it, and it is also the basis or foundation for the building. (See v7)
What a privilege to be chosen by God and precious to Him. We are also a holy priesthood. We do not now need any earthly priest to come to God. The Lord Jesus is our mediator. Israel had its appointed priesthood on earth, but now we have Jesus our Great High Priest. God has not abandoned Israel, but they too must receive The Lord Jesus Christ.
David Guzik observes that God does the work of building, but we do the job of offering sacrifices pleasing to Him, as we come to Jesus as who we are – living stones, made by Him. Even a living stone cannot build something great for God as it sits all on its own. What God does in us together is important. He is building something out of us together. We can only serve as priests as we do it through Jesus Christ. In ourselves, we have no priestly authority, but only in Jesus.
Our lives should be a living sacrifice to God. Whatever we do or say should honour Him and be pleasing to Him. Paul says in Romans 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”
The law of Moses required animal sacrifices. These were a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. The definition of sacrifice is anything consecrated and offered to God. His ultimate sacrifice, once for all time, made those Old Testament sacrifices obsolete. He is our final sacrifice for sin. However, if we are in Christ, we are to offer ourselves completely to God, and the apostle calls it ‘reasonable’. It is the will of God that every believer should be a living sacrifice for Him.
“Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.” (v6-8)
Peter states that the following is from Scripture. He quotes Leviticus 11:44, Isaiah 28:16, Psalms 118:22 and Isaiah 8:14,15. There is no doubt he knew his Old Testament. Christ is the chief cornerstone even though men rejected Him. He is indeed precious to us who believe but to the disobedient He becomes a rock of offence. Which is He to you? Is He precious or an offence? Those who reject and refuse to build on this foundation stumble over this rock of offence.
Jesus quoted the passage from Psalm 118:22 in Matthew 21:42 with regard to Himself as the Chief Cornerstone. Two walls meet at a corner, and it is suggested here that this is referring to Jews and Gentiles. The gospel is the same for both. It applies to all believers, Jew and Gentile, whereas before it was only addressed to Jews, God’s covenant people. To the Jews He became a stumbling block.
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” (v9,10)
Israel was God’s chosen people but now we all have the privilege, and we have them in a greater and spiritual sense. We are now priests as believers, and not just the chosen few, we all have access to the Father. Not only that, but a royal priesthood through King Jesus. A holy nation as children in God’s kingdom. We are all God’s creation but only become God’s children by being born again. Looking around there are no holy nations, earthly nations, but only when we become God’s people, His family. The offices of royalty and priesthood were jealously separated in Israel. There were occasions when a king trespassed on a priest’s ‘role’ and were punished. (Uzziah – 2 Chronicles 26 and Saul – 1 Samuel 13) But Jesus, who is our King and Priest, has brought them together for His people.
A special people – because we belong to God who takes ordinary people like you and me, and by new birth, makes them special. We belong to God has His own special people.
G. Campbell Morgan describes it thus, “The description of the Church is systematic and exhaustive. It is a race, and this suggests its life principle. It is a priesthood, and so has right of access to God. It is a nation, and so is under His government. It is a possession, and so is actually indwelt by Him.”
We have been brought out of darkness into His most marvellous light so that the purpose for these privileges is to proclaim His praises. We can all appreciate being in the light especially when we have emerged from darkness. God has actually brought us out of that darkness. How can we not praise Him?
We were not even a people, no privileges and not experiencing His mercy, but now all that has changed. We are now His people and have received His mercy. We have a new life, a new access to God, a new nation in His kingdom and a new King. This should affect our lives and how we live them.
“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honourable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (v11,12)
Peter reminds God’s people that they are sojourners and pilgrims. We often used to sing ’This world is not my home; I’m just a passing through….’ It is good to remind ourselves of Hebrews 13:14 that we have no continuing city but seek the one to come. Believers are reminded that this physical world is not their permanent home and we look forward to an eternal one. Also, Philippians 3:20 – “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
However, that should not make us of no earthly use. We are here for a purpose, to bring glory to God and reach the lost for Him. Whilst here we have a battle to fight, against freshly lusts and we must display honourable conduct.
Worldly things and desires can destroy our physical bodies – alcohol, drugs, sexual immorality, to name a few, but here Peter says that fleshly lusts war against the soul. We may avoid physical problems, but we cannot do anything about our souls, that’s God’s prerogative. Only He can save the soul.
Isaiah 10:3 says, “What will you do in the day of punishment, and in the desolation which will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help? And where will you leave your glory?” The day of visitation is said to be also the day of punishment.
We are to live godly lives, honourable lives before those who do not know God. We can expect them to speak evil of us, but our honourable conduct in the face of it will bring glory to God. In the Scriptures people were falsely accused many times, and this has not abated since, it still happens today, but despite it all we should live godly lives. When Paul and Silas were in prison (Acts 16) they were singing praises to God. It had an effect on the other prisoners but more so on the jailer who had put them there, and as a result he and his household were saved. Daniel was put in the lion’s den for praying to God, but the only person who didn’t sleep that night was the king whose law had put him there. As a result, the king recognised that Daniel’s God had saved him and ordered that God should be worshipped. Attacks have been made upon Christians over the years, sadly some have not behaved very well, but hopefully they are the exception, and the Name of God Almighty is still known and still displays His power and certainly will have the last word.
The way we deal with persecution will bring our persecutors to glorify God. After explaining why Christians are different, Peter reminded us of what the Christian family is: a spiritual house, a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession. Therefore, Christians ought to keep their behavior excellent, so that even their oppressors will glorify God even when they’re suffering as Christians. And who set the finest example of suffering to glorify God? Jesus Christ. Therefore, the Christians should live for the will of God and use their spiritual gifts to serve one another and glorify God.
“Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” (v13-17)
We have another ‘therefore’ which indicates that in view of what has gone before, our behaviour should be different and yet the same. Not only are we to live holy lives but that should extend to those who have authority over us. We are to obey the law except where it contradicts God’s law. If the law of the land makes it lawful to steal, to murder (which we might say has happened with regard to abortion), to commit adultery (which we might say has happened with no fault divorce) etc., we are in our rights to disobey it. (See my comments in 1 Timothy 2 and Titus 3, and also Romans 13, and Acts 4:19) As I write this our government is voting on the Assisted Dying Bill, which pray will fail. Praise God it did.
As Christians we should be good citizens and submit to governments. Peter was writing this in the days of the Roman Empire which was no friend of Christians. He tells us why we should do this – For The Lord’s sake. It is by doing good that we will silence the ignorance of foolish men. Want to know the will of God? Well, that’s part of it in a nutshell.
However, we are warned about taking liberties as an excuse for sin, rather, we use our liberty to love and show respect.
“Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.” (v18-20)
From a national level to a personal level. Employees and their relationship with their employers. Perhaps that’s a bit grand, he addressed slaves and masters. Many of us may have thought we were treated badly at work or even at home. He implored servants to be submissive to masters whether they treated them well or badly. Again, the underlying principle is that we are doing it for God.
It is one thing to enjoy a beneficial life as a servant when all is going well, but “For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently?”
If we are punished for our wrongs is no credit to us, it is deserved, but if we are punished for doing right and endure it with patience that is good. It even goes so far as to say that it is commendable before God. It is an opportunity to do right even though we are wronged.
It might be hard to submit to a bad master, but that is what God requires of all. Some slaves were treated very well, even as part of the family, others not so. Some people I know had servants/slaves in their household and they were treated well. In the Bible there is reference to slaves having the opportunity for their freedom after seven years and they could leave, but some wanted to stay and there was a ceremony of having an awl through their earlobe as a result of their wish not to go free, because they loved their master.
“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (v21-25)
Note that this is referred to as our calling! We all crave ‘a calling’ as something special. But do we crave this? Christ set an example of suffering for us to follow. No-one suffered unjustly as He did. He suffered not for His own sins, He had none, but for your sins and mine. He submitted to the will of His Father.
We have looked at submitting to authority, and to masters, all very commendable, but this is on another level, submission to God. Are we prepared to do this whatever the outcome?
When He was ill-treated, He did not retaliate, He trusted in His Father. His suffering was indeed an example, but it was far more than that. He was bearing our sins in His own body on the cross. Peter mentions the tree, but he clearly means the cross. The suffering of Jesus was vital in our salvation, it achieved so much, and it is suggested that our suffering can achieve things for God.
When Jeus died for our sin, Peter makes an amazing statement that we died to sins and are to live for righteousness. Our debt was paid in full by the Lord Jesus on the cross, we have nothing to pay, in fact we could never pay enough. We should be dead to sin but alive to Jesus all because He died for our sin.
He goes on to say that we were healed by His stripes. This is a quote from Isaiah 53:5, which primarily refers to spiritual healing but also includes physical healing, which will only be received completely with our resurrection.
His final statement will be a familiar one about sheep and a shepherd. We were like sheep going astray and if it were not for the work of Jesus on the cross, we would still be astray, but because of him we have returned to our Shepherd and Overseer of our souls. The Bible speaks much about sheep and shepherds. Jesus said that He is the good Shepherd which gives His life for His sheep. The important thing is, are we, His sheep? We are only His sheep if we have repented of our sins and received Him as our Saviour and Lord. If not, we are sheep of another fold. We are lost and without a shepherd. The devil cares not for his sheep, he leads them astray and abandons them to the wolves.
