400. 1PE 2:2. MEANS OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH

1Pe_2:2. Means of Spiritual Growth

"As new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby."’971Pe_2:2.

The great end of the epistles was to preserve the new-formed churches of Christ from errors of faith and practice. To this end the apostles, inspired by the Holy Spirit, endeavored to enlighten and direct the new converts to those means by which their spiritual security might be effected. Notice,

I. The Characters addressed.

"New-born babes." Now, by this beautiful figure we are referred,

1. To the character of true believers.

The people of God are all born again. We cannot be in the kingdom of Christ unless we have been born in it. "Except a man," &c. "To such as receive," Christ has given the privilege of the sons of God; this applies to all the household of faith; no religion, no Christianity, but what is based upon regeneration. Then she figure directs us,

2. To the dispositions of true believers.

"New-born babes." The absence of guile, hypocrisy, and deceit; the absence of anxiety; the absence of pride, hatred, and malice; love, humility, &c., these are the holy and lovely parts of the Christian character. The subject directs,

3. To the entire dependence of the believer.

We cannot conceive of more total dependence and helplessness than is seen in a little child. Now, this is our condition. Jesus has taught us this, "Without me ye can do nothing," not, you cannot do all things, but nothing. But the figure shows us,

4. That the state of believers is an improving one.

How speedily the babe alters in its appearance; its limbs grow, it becomes daily more strong; that child is the stamina of the future man; now it is a babe, but who can tell what it will be; that babe is an immortal spirit in embryo. So the believer, he is only the germ of future greatness and future glory. Observe,

II. The great Object referred to.

That "as new-born babes they may grow." The design of ordinances and promise and influences, is that they may grow. Now, our growth should respect three things.

1. Knowledge.

Grow in knowledge and spiritual understanding. Then we must grow,

2. In strength.

How weak the babe; how weak the new-born believer; cannot do much, nor bear much, nor overcome much. Now, we must aim at being strong in the Lord, &c.

3. In resemblance to God’s holy image.

In the babe is seen the image of the Father. We are to labor to imitate the blessed Deity, to follow him as dear children. Now, how are we thus to grow? This leads us,

III. To the Means specified.

Now it is to be effected,

1. By the word.

Compared to milk, suited to our state word of knowledge, word of power, word of holiness. "All we with open face," &c. "Whereby are given to us great and precious promises," &c.

2. It must be the pure word.

"The sincere milk of the word." It must not have any mixture; not with Jewish glosses and conceit; not with the wisdom of philosophy; no, it must be the unadulterated truth; the word of God, as it flows from the eternal fountain of purity.

3. It must be desired.

The babe, by instinct, desires the milk; so we must feel our hearts set upon it; hunger and thirst after it, and labor to obtain it at all times and in all places, and being earnestly desired, it must be received and digested, and thus it will be incorporated with our strength and we shall grow thereby.

Application

1. Bless God for the suitable, ample provision of his word.

2. Remember, the great end of it is, your growth in knowledge and holiness.

3. Ardently long for it. Value it as precious gold, better than thousands of gold and silver.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS