souls. This comes by obedience to the truth with the outworking to be characterized by unfeigned love of the brethren. Peter's desire at this point is that we understand what real love is. This is espe cially spelled out in I Cor. 13. It means to love with a will to love. We do not do it for what we might obtain in return, but because the object of our love desperately needs this kind of devotion. This is the very reason why we were called. The Word of Cod must be the final authority in the Christian's life. To have effective testimonies we must hold an expective hope and live exalted lives before the Lord. In this way we can be effec tive witnesses to a world that knows not the Saviour. Our salvation is based upon the work of the triune Cod. The effec tiveness of our calling is borne out in our manner of living with hope and expectancy. It is vital for us to consider our relationship to the Word of God (2:1-4). We are first to be a babe in our desire. First of all, we are to put away all wicked ness. This is not only things that are bad in themselves, but also those things which appear to be bad. Next we are to set aside all guile. This is another word for de ceit. Do not try to fool people and cover up the truth. After this we are to be done with hypocrisy. Or iginally this word referred to some one who was acting. What a pic ture that conveys today! Then, we are to put away envyings or any desires we may have for the things which belong to others whether spiritual gifts or actual material possessions. Finally, we are ex horted to avoid all evil speakings.
Peter says we are not to be speak ing against things. With these things behind us we are to have a strong desire for the sincere milk of the Word. Through out one's Christian life we should have the tenacity of a babe seek ing milk as we grasp for the sus taining Word and the strength which will come from it. In a day of such uncertain and even radical standards the Bible alone is with out deception. Only it can give you a true picture of what things are like. If we follow such a pro gram spiritual growth is bound to ensue. Every Christian needs milk. This is true for newborn Christians as well as for those who are mature in the faith. In such a way we can prove to ourselves that the Lord is gracious. You see, these persecuted pilgrims were wondering why they were being put through so much suffering. Is Cod really gracious when He causes me to go through hard times? Yes, this is exactly what Cod's grace is all about. In fact, this is the theme of the book itself. Paui testified that he had a thorn in the flesh. Three times he sought the Lord to remove it. In stead he got the words, "My grace is sufficient for thee." We see that grace is important amid Christian trials. There is also pointed out here something of the mystery of the person of Jesus Christ. We come to Him as "a living Stone." He was rejected of men but elect and precious to God. The believer is really Cod's building. We are a spiritual house and are the living stones. How does this fit in with the work of God? You see, the Lord never erects a building just for the building's sake. We're not Page 15
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