22. The Word of God Pt3.Spiritual Nutrition

The Word of God Pt 3: Spiritual Nutrition for Spiritual Growth

1Pe 1:22-2:3  Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,  (23)  having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,  (24)  because "ALL FLESH IS AS GRASS, AND ALL THE GLORY OF MAN AS THE FLOWER OF THE GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND ITS FLOWER FALLS AWAY,  (25)  BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you. Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,  (2)  as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,  (3)  if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Introduction: In this section of Scripture we have been looking at the Word of God being the truth and the incorruptible seed. It is the means that God is pleased to use in our salvation and we will see it is not only the means He is pleased to use in our salvation, it is also the means that He is pleased to use in our sanctification. This morning we will continue our study in this section with 5 of the following observations.

1.The Method of the means delivered – the gospel preached

2.New Birth

3.Putting aside the sin the separates.

4.Longing for the Pure Milk of the Word for the Purpose of growth.

5.The conditionality of Spiritual growth

I.The Method of the Means – the gospel preached/proclaimed

The verb used here is the Greek word from which we get evangelize. It is the proclamation of the good news. We have talked about means before. When we have a sinus infection we go to the doctor. He gives us a shot with an antibiotic which is the means of our recovery. The method of delivery is the syringe and needle. When go hunting the means of getting our game is the bullet or shot, the method of delivery is the gun powder that is ignited in the case to deliver the bullet. Without the method the means is ineffective. So how important is the proclamation and preaching of the gospel? Paul says it this way.

Rom 10:14-17  How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?  (15)  And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE, WHO BRING GLAD TIDINGS OF GOOD THINGS!"  (16)  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?"  (17)  So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

This preaching and proclamation comes from the same Person that the prophets of old received their message in the OT, The Holy Spirit. 1Pe 1:12  To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

What is the message of the Gospel? It is the message of reconciliation between God and man. And as a result it is also reconciliation between men. We are born again not by a false gospel but the true gospel, not any truth but the word of truth that proceeds from the mouth God. That truth alone has the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes, the Jew first and also the Greek Rom 1:16.

It is that truth having been born again that we love Christ though we have not seen Him, that we obey His word though we have not heard Him and that we love our brethren, that we are united with them.

It is the world that separates, the world partitions people by race, culture, and socio-economics.

It is the gospel that reconciles and restores. Eph 2:14-16  For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,  (15)  having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,  (16)  and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.

II.Foundation – New Birth

Therefore points back to the v23 – you have been born again by the word of truth. This new birth, for review, is a result of God causing us to be born again 1 Peter 1:3. This new birth is a result of God’s election, Christ’s atoning work and the Spirit’s application of it to us. The Spirit regenerates, bringing the dead to life, imparting the faith for us to believe. Tit 3:4-5  But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,  (5)  not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

As a result we, who have been born again, but once children of the devil, are called to a life of repentance from dead works to good works. Eph 2:10  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

From this new birth comes the next command in verse 1

III.Putting aside the Sin’s that separates v. 2:1 laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,

Looking hard at this verse we see a list of sins. It is telling in the kinds of sins that are listed. These are unique in that they deal with our relationships one with another. Just a few verses prior Peter is commending the brethren for their sincere love of the brethren and commanding them to love another fervently from the heart. These are not run of the mill sins, as if there is such a thing a run of the mill sins. These appear to be deep rooted, heart attitude sins.

Malice is evil intent focused on a particular person. There is no room for good when there is malice in the heart.

Guile or deceitful is not just the act of a lie it defines the character. When aimed at an individual or individuals the goal is to hurt or get an advantage over.

Hypocrisy is pretending to be something that we are not. Proclaiming a truth that one applies to everyone but themselves.

Envy - desires the good that another has at that person’s expense.

Slander is to lie about a person’s action or character to do them harm.

This is a reminder that though we have been born again, have been given a new heart, that we have the assurance of Scripture that we are no longer under sins dominion we still will wrestle with its power and presence in us.

Do we struggle with these sins? When we look closely and judge ourselves rightly according to the word of God are we sad? Discouraged? Depressed? Do we think these sins or whatever other sin we may struggle with is the sum total of who we are? We no sooner think that we have particular sin mortified than it rises up and crushes us under the weight of it. Our hearts cry out I am the hypocrite, I am the deceiver, I am malicious and with this realization, whether outwardly or inwardly we weep bitter tears.

When we partake of the fruits of the world, the flesh and the devil, we reap the attitudes of the world. Gal 5:19-21 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, (20) idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, (21) envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Peter commands keep putting them aside. To remove from one’s way as though an obstacle or hindrance. Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Not one, not some, but all of them; not a little of each, or some of the named, but all of everyone named.

This is a command to put away the old way of life, that you are not the sum total of your past, you are not frozen in who you were or maybe even who you are, but you are, indeed the sum of Who Christ is, in His life, His death, His burial, and His resurrection. And though we will not completely drive this sin out while we walk this earth we will not be ruled by them, we will not be subject to every prick of the flesh.

This is a common theme through the NT. Putting off or putting aside. Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Col 3:8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.

IV.Long for the Pure Milk of the Word for the purpose of growing v2

Like a newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word. Peter is making the comparison of what SHOULD be our condition and the natural condition of a newborn babe. It is first a condition of dependence. A newborn cannot fend for itself it is wholly dependent upon His mother for all sustenance. Second, the newborn’s condition is one of hunger and in the divine wisdom of God He made mothers milk the perfect food for her child. It is her milk that gives the right nutrition, providing for the child’s immune system, growth of the body, and development of the brain. Anyone who has been around a new born infant knows when the child is hungry, there is a sense of urgency, demanding to be fed that which will satisfy. The Word of God is only that food which nourishes the Christian.

We are to have a passion and longing for the intake of the word of God. Just as it is the infant’s natural inclination to look to its mother’s breast so too it should be ours that we look to the word of God for ours. There is no spiritual growth apart from the Word of God. Psa 1:2-3 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. (3) And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.

Psa 119:20 My soul is crushed with longing After Thine ordinances at all times.

Psa 42:1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for Thee, O God.

With longing there is a sense of urgency and desperation.

The connection is it is by the Word of God we are born again and therefore we should long for it for our spiritual growth.

What is the pure milk of the Word?

Pure means undefiled and not watered down. It is the whole council of God, where the wages of sin is death, where forgiveness is, repentance is required. The message of the cross is offensive and foolishness to those who are perishing. The disciple takes up their cross and follows Him. It is striving against the power of remaining sin, it is discipline, labor and work. It is as Paul said to Timothy those who desire to live godly will be persecuted.

How then do we drink in the pure milk of the WORD? Reading, hearing, studying, memorizing, meditating.

How is it that Peter can command us to desire that which we may not? What can I do to obey a command like that? My whole problem is that I don’t have the strength of desire I want? You may as ask the lame to walk…..

God grants the means to accomplish His commands. If you are lacking in it ask for it. As you feed on the Word of God your appetite will grow for it.

2Co 10:5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

Grow in respect to salvation. There are two ways to look at this.

1) As we have consistent Bible intake we see more and more the wickedness of our sin in the sight of God, we see more and more of the greatness of our God in our salvation, which increases the quality and quantity of our praise and adoration.

2) Primarily growing in respect to salvation means to grow in sanctification. There are three ways in which salvation is used. The day of our salvation, the process of our salvation (work out your salvation in fear and trembling), and our final salvation. That day when we stand before God free from this body of sin and death.

V. The Conditionality of Spiritual Growth

Usually when we see the word ‘if’ it is conditional. But here Peter is not questioning but assuming the reality of past experience of God’s amazing goodness and compassion in Christ. The NKJV inserts the word indeed but it is not in the Greek text. But it is an implied invitation for the readers to self-examination on the matter. The verb tasted continues the imagery of the milk. It is not a cautious sip but actual enjoyment. This verse looks back to the past experience begun at conversion.

Their experience has assured them that the Lord is good. Peter draws from Greek translation of Psa 34:8  Oh, taste that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

By way of application, we must ask ourselves have we tasted by faith and know the goodness of God in salvation through the word of truth. Do we as new born babes long for the pure milk of the word whereby we grow or are we devoid in any interest in the Word of God. There are times when we are not as interested as we should be but if we are never interested, if we are never hungry for the word of God it is an indicator of a much more serious issue. The issue is that you have not been born again, that you have never tasted that the Lord is good. My earnest prayer for you is that you turn in repentance and faith to Christ. Isa 55:6  Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.