Holiness in an unholy world (2)

Eating Healthy...

Just the other day, Donna mentioned about children having two stomachs. When it comes to eating supper, a child’s stomach is very small, and gets full really quickly, but when it comes to eating treats or snacks, a child seemingly has a bottomless pit.

Well today is Halloween, and we all know that the stores increase their junk food. Chocolate is not a separate food group. Maybe you eat chocolate once in a while and you have a favorite chocolate bar. What is it?

Here are some names of Chocolate bars that might be familiar to you: Oh Henry, Caramilk, Wonder Bar, Coffee Crisp, Reese’s Pieces, Smarties, M & M’s, Mars, Snickers, Aero, Crunchie, Eat more, and the list could go on and on.

I think that it was in the 60’s where fat in our diets were considered unhealthy. Eggs were bad because they are high in cholesterol, Now we are told that they are fine because they have healthy cholesterol.

Physically, it’s so important that we eat a balanced diet, but even more importantly, it is important that we consume the proper spiritual food.

1 Peter 2:1–3 NIV

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Rid yourselves...

1 Peter 2:1 ESV

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

Another word that we could use is renounce. I think that we could use two illustrations of removing from our diets and to purge or house clean.

For an athlete to succeed and have long term success, they need to be diligent in how they eat and how they exercise.

In 1972, there was the Summit series between Canada and Russia. Many of you might remember Paul Henderson scoring the goal to win the series. Canada just about lost the series because they underestimated their opponent. They didn’t realize how fit, how determined, and how skilled the Russian hockey players were.

For many years, professional hockey players would take the summer off from their sport and they go home and enjoy summer. Many of them didn’t do much in the way of training until training camp in the fall, and they were about to get surprised by their opponent.

Today, hockey players have strict protocol which most of them follow so that they can keep improving their game. They can’t live on junk food and expect to get the results that they are looking for.

As some of you have noticed, I’m not a professional athlete. One thing that I have noticed in my body is that since I have hypothyroidism, my metabolism doesn’t agree with a poor diet. If I fail to eat properly, it doesn’t take much for me to start gaining weight. It doesn’t help if I don’t get enough exercise.

Hoarding - Have you ever kept something because you might need it some day? I used to keep a lot of cattle magazines because I might need the information sometime. With our access to information, it’s not as needed as it used to be. At the farm we had what we called a junk drawer. It was just beside the stove. In there you could find some screws or nuts that we maybe didn’t have in our collection out in the shop. Sometimes the problem is that if we aren’t careful, we can misplace things that when we need them, we can’t find them so we go and out and buy it anyways.

There are many places in Scripture where we are commanded to get rid of our old ways.

Romans 13:11–12 NIV

And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Colossians 3:8–10 NIV

But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

James 1:19–21 NIV

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

In our lives, we need to be careful that we don’t try to keep things that we should be getting rid of or throwing away.

Why?

1 Peter 1:17–23 NIV

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

This is what comes before the therefore...

Peter uses five examples in our text.

5 examples of attitude and action

1 Peter 2:1 NIV

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.

Malicious behaviour

Life Application New Testament Commentary A Call to Holy Living / 1:13–2:3

Malicious behavior means doing evil despite the good that has been received; the desire to harm other people. Malice may be hidden behind good actions.

Deceit

Life Application New Testament Commentary A Call to Holy Living / 1:13–2:3

Deceit means deliberately tricking or misleading by lying

1 Peter 3:10 NIV

For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.

Hypocrisy

Life Application New Testament Commentary A Call to Holy Living / 1:13–2:3

Hypocrisy means that people say one thing but do another; playacting; presenting good motives that mask selfish desire.

Jealousy

Life Application New Testament Commentary A Call to Holy Living / 1:13–2:3

Jealousy means desiring something possessed by someone else. This causes discontent and resentment as believers make unhealthy comparisons to one another. It also makes them unable to be thankful for the good that comes to others.

Slander

Life Application New Testament Commentary A Call to Holy Living / 1:13–2:3

Backstabbing means destroying another’s good reputation by lies, gossip, rumor-spreading, etc. Malice often manifests itself through backstabbing (slander).

These cause division in the life of believers and in the life of a church. They are destructive inside and outside of the church. The devil knows that a house divided against itself cannot stand. If he can divide us or divide the body of Christ universal, we can’t stand. but Jesus said,

Matthew 16:18 NKJV

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

We can’t fight this fight, we can’t run this race if we are weighed down with sin.

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 NIV

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Hebrews 12:1–3 NIV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Crave pure spiritual milk

1 Peter 2:2 NIV

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

Like newborn babies

Generally, newborn babies don’t make a lot of fuss as long as they are fed, burped, changed, and swaddled.

All babies need to get their first milk which contains colostrum. It contains the very antibodies that can bring health. When a newborn baby is hungry, they will cry until they can get fed.

Like babies, crave pure spiritual milk.

1 Peter 1:23 NIV

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

It’s imperative that we read the Bible. In it are the very words of life.

The example of William McPherson

William McPherson was severely injured when a charge of dynamite exploded in front of his face. Although he survived the blast, he lost his eyes, hands and the feeling in parts of his face. He realized how much the Bible meant to him and he greatly needed the its strength. He could not read it in Braille because of his artificial hands. He tried to place his lips on the dots but they were numb. He found he could use his tongue to decipher the Moon Type System of dashes. Although the metal left his lips and tongue bleeding and very sore, he prayed to God to help him continue to learn just one letter of the alphabet. In the 65 years that followed, he read the Bible through four times with his tongue. What love for the Bible! His example leaves us without excuse. (Bible Charts.org) Now that’s dedication! He had to learn braille, but not with his hands. This happened in the 1800’s. There was no daily audio Bible. He persisted because he desired to read God’s word.

We too need to persist. If we want to grow in our faith we need to get into the Word of God so that it can transform us and so that our faith can grow.

Romans 10:12–17 ESV

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Faith comes by hearing… and hearing through the word of Christ. How can people believe in Jesus if they have never heard? How can we share about God if we aren’t reading the Bible?

2 Timothy 2:15 NIV

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

In the Bible are the very words of life. The letters that you find in red are Jesus’ own words.

Matthew 5:3–12 NIV

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

We need more than a weekly ration of God’s word.

Ephesians 5:25–27 NIV

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

Here are some famous quotes about the Bible: (Bible Reasons)

“If you are ignorant of God’s Word, you will always be ignorant of God’s will.” – Billy Graham

“A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.”― Charles H. Spurgeon

“The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.” Dwight L. Moody

“I’ve experienced His presence in the deepest darkest hell that men can create. I have tested the promises of the Bible, and believe me, you can count on them. I know that Jesus Christ can live in you, in me, through His Holy Spirit. You can talk with Him; you can talk with Him out loud or in your heart when you are alone, as I was alone in solitary confinement. The joy is that He hears each word.” – Corrie Ten Boom

“The Bible is meant to be bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions.”

“Fill your mind with God’s Word and you will have no room for Satan’s lies.”

“Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.” Charles H. Spurgeon

So you may grow up...

1 Peter 2:2–3 NIV

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

The purpose of the milk is so that you may grow up in your salvation.

Those of us who have had children would have been very concerned if our children didn’t grow.

Zoey had a bit of a rough start. Donna was around 38 weeks pregnant with Zoey when she went in for another checkup. Donna’s Doctor was away on holidays so the Specialist was supposed to check up on Donna to see if she was soon ready to deliver.

Our kids weren’t small when they were born, but both Joshua and Caleb were born naturally with a little help.

When it came to Zoey, she wasn’t ready, but Donna’s blood pressure was a little elevated so the Doctor that stepped in decided that even though it wasn’t favourable, she should be induced. It ended in a C-section. That wasn’t a great way to end things.

Well when it came to check ups, Zoey wasn’t growing like she should be so we decided that it would be a good idea to supplement her, and before long, she was growing fine and you know the rest of the story.

The milk of the word of God is so that we will grow up in our salvation.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NIV

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

I believe that God wants nothing more than to see us grow up in our salvation. He wants to see us grow and mature into people that are fruitful.

Fruit trees that are saplings don’t produce fruit, but those who are rooted and grounded produce much fruit.

Ephesians 3:14–21 NIV

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.