◄ What Does 1 Peter 2:2 Mean? ►

When we were born again we were positionally sanctified; positionally set apart unto God, once for all. We were taken out of the old creation in Adam and placed into the new creation in Christ. As newborn babes in Christ, we were positioned in Him. Our position in Him also needs to be worked out practically; a practical sanctification that needs to take place in our everyday life and living. Our positional sanctification took place the moment that we were saved, and from that moment onward we were reckoned by God to be as righteous as Christ, however, practically we are not yet sanctified. Practical sanctification is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our life as He conforms us day by day into the image and likeness of Christ, as we read the Word, study the Word, learn the Word, and apply the Word in our everyday lives.

Practically we know that sin works within our members every day of our life, but the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is to bring us to practical sanctification. It is a lifelong process which is only completed when we go to be with the Lord, whether through the door of death or at the return of the Lord in the clouds for His saints.

Practical sanctification does not happen automatically. We need to grow in grace, and become mature believers in our Christian faith. We have to feed on spiritual food each day and be exercised spiritually in order to grow in grace and to mature in the faith, and Peter clearly tells us the importance of taking in the right spiritual food to ensure godly growth: "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby."

Man cannot live on bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, and the Scriptures are the spiritual food that God in His grace has given us for our Christian life and spiritual growth. No matter what chronological age we may be, our desire for the Word of God should be like a hungry, little newborn babe. And we are to feed on the Word of God day by day in order to mature and grow spiritually.

God has spoken to us in these last days through the Lord Jesus Christ, and in His grace has left us a written record in the Scriptures, and whether it be Peter, Paul, John, or James, we are urged to study to show ourselves approved unto God so that we may grow and mature spiritually. We are to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the Word of truth so that we may grow in grace and in a knowledge of the Lord Jesus. We are to rightly divide the Word of truth so that we are not deceived by those that would twist and distort the word of God, which is able to make us wise unto salvation. We are to be doers of the Word and not hearers only so that we may apply the important spiritual principles that are contained within its pages. And we are to preach the Word to others so that lost sinners might hear and believe in Christ to the glory of God.

May we never stop desiring the milk and meat of the Word so that we may grow thereby. May we meditate on the Word of God, trust His Word of truth, believe on His precious promises and look to Jesus day by day in the power of the Holy Spirit of truth so that we may grow in grace to His praise and glory.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the lessons Your Word teaches and for its cleansing power, purifying effect, and spiritual nourishment which is so necessary in this time when the foundation of our faith is being attacked in all quarters. May I sincerely desire the pure milk of the Word so that I may grow in grace, mature in the faith, and become increasingly conformed into the image and likeness of the Lord Jesus. In Jesus' name, AMEN.