1Pet 2:1 Therefore putting away all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envyings and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, long for the guileless milk of the word in order that by it you may grow unto salvation,
[Part 1 of 2] According to Peter's word in 2:2, by the pure milk of the word we may grow unto salvation. The Greek word rendered "unto" also means resulting in. To grow in life results in salvation. Salvation here, as the result of growth in life, is not initial salvation. God's full and complete salvation has a long span-- from regeneration, including justification, to glorification (Rom. 8:30). At regeneration we received initial salvation. Then we need to grow by feeding on Christ as the nourishing milk in the word of God unto full salvation, unto maturity for glorification. If we grow unto salvation, we shall experience salvation from malice, guile, hypocrisies, envyings, and evil speakings, the five negative things spoken of in verse 1. To be saved from malice, guile, hypocrisies, envyings, and evil speakings is not accomplished by effort of our own. This cannot be done by self- improvement, adjustment, or correction. On the contrary, to be saved from these negative things is an inward matter. As an illustration, suppose someone has bacteria that cause disease in his body. These bacteria are in his blood and in the fibers of his being. What would be the use of trying to solve this problem by washing the person with a strong soap? This could do nothing more than cleanse the outer layer of his skin. In order to deal with the bacteria, that person needs to receive an antibiotic. He also needs to take in the proper nourishment for his physical body so that it may grow. This growth will help to heal him of his illness. In like manner, it is by the inner growth unto salvation that we are saved spontaneously from the "germs" of malice, guile, hypocrisies, envyings, and evil speakings. (Continued tomorrow) (c) 2007 Living Stream Ministry.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-study of First Peter, pp. 131-132. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA. Please visit us at www.emanna.com. Send comments to: [email protected].
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