The Goodness of God
Read the Text: 1 Peter 2
Memorize the Text:
Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good.
(1 Peter 2:2, CSB)
Consider the Text: 1 Peter 2:1-3
Living in the goodness of God means that believers live transformed. In the transformed life, believers become more like Christ step-by-step and continue the journey under the motivation of the goodness of God and his work in his children's lives. In 1 Peter 2, the apostle charged Christians to seek spiritual development by tasting the goodness of God and gaining a more profound desire for it. As you consider the goodness of God, are you desiring more of Christ? Are you preparing to grow deeper in your relationship with him and know him more?
THE GOODNESS OF GOD CALLS FOR REMOVAL
The apostle Peter noted that spiritual growth depended on putting away the ways of the flesh. This removal provided the posture of spiritual growth that rejected the flesh's ways of pursuing the Lord's ways. Genuine growth led to an increase of knowing the Lord intellectually and intimately and decreased the presence of the world's influence. Thus, Peter commanded Christians to put away the garments of the flesh soiled by sin.
Peter provided several examples of the garments that needed removing. First, he called believers to remove the garment of malice. Malice occurs because of internal wickedness from the heart and the flesh and refers to the motives more than the actions. Second, the apostle called for putting away the garment of deceit. This garment identifies the fleshly character that attempts to fool others and rest in lies instead of truth. Third, Peter charged believers to take off hypocrisy. The concept of hypocrisy centers on a half-religion faith that attempts to give lip service to the Lord and faithfulness to the world. Fourth, the apostle Peter declared that believers need to remove the garment of envy. The presence of envy forms idolatry in the heart and attempts to fill deep longing with material instead of the Lord. Fifth, the apostle demanded that believers take off the garment of slander. The nature of backbiting flows from a heart of self-centeredness and jealousy. Thus, he called them to remove this divisive garment because it hinders unity and faithfulness.
Today, the goodness of God requires the removal of the garments of the flesh. We must seek the fleshly clothing of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. When we review our life, we need to identify the presence of these filthy garments and seek forgiveness through repentance. How is the goodness of God prompting you to identify these garments and remove them?
THE GOODNESS OF GOD DEVELOPS LONGING
Peter uses the concept of an infant craving milk to illustrate how a believer must crave spiritual nourishment. The goodness of God ought to form a longing in the believer's heart to know the Lord more intimately and to pursue knowing him deeper daily. The spiritual craving comes as an intensity that drives believers to grow up in their salvation and to mature in faith. As a believer grows, various attributes become developed.
Believers grow up in purity. When one grows up in purity, one progresses toward a life that mirrors the Lord more than the world. They live in greater holiness, and the stain of sin does not mark their lives. This growth occurs as Christians grow up in their knowledge of the Word of God. As believers grow in the truth of the Word, they allow the truth to penetrate their lives' depths and act as a transforming agent to develop a heart more aligned with Christ. As a result, the believer grows up by serving the Lord. As maturity occurs, the believer finds more avenues to serve the Lord and engage in expanding God's kingdom.
Today, we must develop a deep craving for the Lord and spiritual development. We should long for truth and allow the truth to transform us to live in a manner that reflects Jesus more. Do you crave spiritual development? Do you long to know the Lord more intimately? Do you yearn to serve the Lord?
THE GOODNESS OF GOD PROVIDES ENCOURAGEMENT
Peter called believers to receive encouragement from the goodness of God. When a believer remembers their salvation, the goodness of God comes to the forefront. Because of his deep love for humanity, the Lord worked to form a way for salvation. This sacrificial love demonstrates the goodness of God and should motivate us to know and live for him. The goodness of God becomes more prevalent as a believer when the Christian experiences the provision of the Lord throughout life. Believers become encouraged by the presence and work of the Lord in life.
Today, we gain encouragement from God’s goodness because of his work to offer salvation and his presence in our daily life. Take a moment and remember the goodness of God as he made way for redemption. Recall the moment you received his goodness. Reflect on the working of the Lord in your life. Find encouragement to know him more.
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
