November 10, 2026 -Grow Up!
“[1] Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. [2] Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, ”
1 Peter 2:1-2 NIV
Growing up in our salvation. What is that? I think of it as part of the sanctification process, or at least a response to the sanctifying work of the Spirit in our lives. The word sanctification is a "Christianese" word that is confusing to non-believers and new believers. Sanctification is setting something apart for a good purpose and becoming more like Jesus over time. That means that we need to expect to and try to "rid [ourselves] of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of ever kind."
“[3] now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
1 Peter 2:3 NIV
Before meeting Jesus and giving your life to Him you are living as every other broken earthly man. There is nothing special about you. But once we have met Jesus and "tasted that the Lord is good" we are made different from everyone else in the eyes of God. Jesus is good and He has given us all that we need to be like Him. He has given us the Holy Spirit who lives in us to battle against the sinful nature that we still have in us. The more we crave and consume that which is "pure spiritual milk" the stronger we become to fight that sinful nature. Then as we get stronger, we begin to crave solid food. That is what maturing in our salvation looks like.
“[11] Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. ”
1 Peter 2:11 NIV
We are now foreigners living in a world that we no longer belong to. And as long as we are here we will continuously be tempted to give into the sinful desires that the world will encourage. As we grow up in our salvation God will begin to convict us of things that we have been believing the worlds lies about. The more we mature and dig deeper into the word of God and Jesus teachings the more we will be taught and strengthened in the truth. The more we will come to recognize that which is a lie of the enemy and be able to live more like Jesus. This is a continuous process throughout our lives.
“[12] Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. [13] Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, [14] or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. [15] For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. [16] Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. [17] Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”
1 Peter 2:12-17 NIV
Not only does our maturity in Christ-like living change us it makes a difference in the world around us. When we are loving and filled with grace while still standing for what is right and biblical in the face of worldly opinions, even the lost will recognize that we are different. We just had an election that has many people worried, upset and feeling rebellious. But as you mature in your salvation and come to understand the "meatier" concepts of God's sovereignty and all the omnis, you know that no one is placed in authority without God allowing it. In that knowledge and faith, we must trust God and follow the leaderships authority. We live in a country that we have the freedom to speak about our faith and our opinions in the political arena and to disagree with those in authority, but it must be done with respect, grace and lawfully. When we speak the truth in a loving way we are "doing good" and that is what God will use to "silence the ignorant talk of foolish people". We must be careful not to live like those who are still slaves to sin. We have been set free from sin and will be forgiven when we do sin but that is not an excuse to respond as the world would respond. We are free from sin but should live as slaves to Christ. Christ who is good and through His goodness we will become mature and grow up in goodness.
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