I Peter Chapter 2
Little newborn babies are so precious, but when they get hungry they have a way of letting you know that cannot be ignored. The desire for food is so great that they will not stop crying until you pick them up and feed them. Our desire for spiritual food should be this great. If we have “tasted that the Lord is good,” we have experienced His peace – then we should desire more and more of Him. Unless we feed that desire, we will not mature in our walk with Him. Too many Christians are starving their spiritual souls. They might attend church on Sunday and our blessed by the preaching of the Word, but never seek more teaching, they never seek more of Jesus to fill their soul through the week.
“To drink the milk of the Word is to ‘taste’ again and again what He is like, for in hearing the Lord’s words the believers experience the joy of personal fellowship with the Lord Himself.” [Grudem]
Let's Reflect
1. Peter uses several analogies to describe the born-again believer. What does he call those who are both chosen of God and precious?
2. No matter where we live on this planet called earth, if we are a believer, we are a part of the spiritual house that God is building. Who is the living cornerstone of this house that was rejected?
3. As Israel had sacrifices, so Christians offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God. Paul said in Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
As you read what Peter wrote about your life and what Paul wrote – how does that make you feel about your own spiritual walk with the Lord?
4. There should be a huge difference between the way a believer lives his life vs. the non-believer. What are some of the titles that Peter gives to the believers?
5. Why does Peter teach us to be submissive to authorities, according to verse 15?
6. When Peter talks about the suffering of Jesus he talks about the believer following in the steps of Jesus in that if we should suffer, we should do so without revile or threatening other people. We need to remember that no matter what people may do to us; we have been freed from the horrible penalty of sin which is death. We were once lost sheep, but we have been found by whom?
