July 6, 2025

GROWING IN THE LORD

1 Peter 2:1-3

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.

Command With a Promise

It is so easy to get caught up in the erroneous teaching that if we say the prayer of salvation and attend church on a regular basis, then we will become good and godly Christians. The error in this is that in most cases, our hearts, and therefore our behaviors, are not changed to conform to the image of Jesus, just by sitting in pew. This passage provides a promise for us, if we exercise the command. We must lay aside (give up, forgo, abandon, etc.) all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking. This means in our personal life, as well as our work life, as well as our politics, as well as our church life (especially when praying in public or wearing Christian paraphernalia). If we do this, which is following in the footsteps of Christ, then we will grow in our relationship with our Lord and His graciousness. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!