Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
Source: The Life Application Study Bible
1 “So get rid of all malicious behavior and deceit. Do not just pretend to be good! Be done with hypocrisy and jealousy and backstabbing. 2 You must crave pure spiritual milk so that you can grow into the fullness of your salvation. Cry out for this nourishment as a baby cries for milk, 3 now that you have had a taste of the LORD’s kindness.” ~ 1 Peter 2:1-3
One characteristic all children share is that they want to grow up – to be like big brother or sister or like their parents. When we were born again, we became spiritual newborn babies. If we are healthy, we will yearn to grow. How sad it is that some people never grow up. The need for milk is a natural instinct for a baby, and it signals the desire for nourishment that will lead to growth. Once we see our need for GOD’s Word and begin to find nourishment in Christ, our spiritual appetite will increase, and we will start to mature. How strong is your desire for GOD’s Word?
“Come to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of GOD’s temple. He was rejected by the people, but He is precious to GOD who chose Him.” – 1 Peter 2:4 – In describing the church as GOD’s spiritual temple, Peter drew on several Old Testament texts familiar to his Jewish Christian readers. He knew his readers would have understood the living stones to be Israel; then Peter applied the image of the “cornerstone” to Christ. Once again Peter showed that the church does not cancel the Jewish heritage but fulfills it.
“The stone rejected by the builders has now become the cornerstone.” – Psalm 118:22 – Jesus referred to this verse when he spoke of being rejected by His won people. Although He was rejected, Jesus is not the “cornerstone,” the most important part of the church. The cornerstone is the foundation stone, holding the structure together. – “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem. It is firm, a tested and precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never run away again”. – Isaiah 28:16 – If you are building anything, you need a firm base. Isaiah speaks of a foundation stone, a cornerstone, that will be laid in Zion. This cornerstone is the Messiah, the foundation on whom we build our lives. Is your life built on the flimsy base of your own successes or dreams? Or is it set on a firm foundation?
Father, we want to be healthy and grow in YOUR Word, increase our spiritual appetites so that we may mature in Christ. We want to hunger and have a strong desire for YOUR Word so that our lives are not built on our own dreams and successes but set on a firm foundation – the Messiah.
Photo: Multnomah Falls Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (Oregon)
Photographer: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
