- put aside evils
evil, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, slander - are these intentionally social evils?
do we do these things?
- long for the word
long like newborn infants
here, infant is a symbol not of immaturity (as normally used in paul), but for
longing and need (most likely).
Note on 'spiritual' milk (from the net bible) : The word for
spiritual in Greek is logikov" (logikos), which is a play on words with
the reference in 1:23-25 to the living and enduring word (lovgo", logos)
of God, through which they were born anew. This is a subtle indication
that the nourishment for their growth must be the word of God.
what does this look like?
why? - so that by it you may grow up to salvation
the putting aside of evils and desire for the word is the means towards
'growing up to salvation'.
what does this phrase mean?
- salvation
- sanctification
living up to the call?
being able to fill our shoes so to speak?
if you have experienced the lord's kindness
if first class conditional...normally considered as 'presented as true'
"the lord's kindness"
eph 1:5 - He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus
Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
john 3:16
romans 5:8
the benevolence of god...
And coming to Him
is this a continuation of the maturity discussed in 1-3 (pursuing the word)?
as to a living stone
(this metaphor doesn't make sense until the next verse...
which has been rejected by men,
but is choice and precious in the sight of God,
you also,
as living stones, tying us to christ...both in tribulation and in type
are being built up
as a spiritual house
for a holy priesthood,
to offer up spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God
through Jesus Christ.
For this is contained in Scripture:
"BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone,
AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."
(isaiah 28:16)
This precious value, then, is for you who believe;
but for those who disbelieve,
"THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE VERY CORNER stone,"
(Ps 118:22, cf. Matt 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11)
and, "A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE";
(isaiah 8:14)
for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word,
and to this doom they were also appointed.
1. to the recipients of 1 peter, who are undergoing tribulation, this is a
poingant reminder - christ was rejected by men, but was choice and precious to god.
peter reminds them that christ was abused and suffered as well.
2. we are :
- being 'built up' by god
- as a spiritual house (for god)
- to be holy priesthood (christ in this case)
- to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to god, through jesus christ
"This precious value, then, is for you who believe"
exodus 19:1-8 (kingdom of priests)
- access to god (what really counts, a la rom 3:1)
- consider the holiness of god...
purification of levites, nadab/abihu (lev. 10:1-7)
3. Unbelievers stumble because they are disobedient, and they were appointed to
this as well; calvin kisses arminius...
note that 6,7, and 8 all deal with the contrast of sin - the consequence
avoided by the recipients of this letter (contrasted with their own
suffering)
But you are
A CHOSEN RACE,
A royal PRIESTHOOD,
A HOLY NATION,
A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION,
the world :
stumbles because they are disobedient to the word,
was appointed to this doom
us :
a chosen race
royal priesthood (proximity to god)
holy nation, a people for god's possession
this is a basis for 'self-esteem'...
god considers you worth choosing and possesing.
so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you
out of darkness
into His marvelous light;
why? piper's theme - so that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who
has called you
why? to give glory to god.
for
you once were NOT A PEOPLE,
but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD;
you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY,
but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.
big note on evangelism...
"so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him"
the excellencies in question are what he has done for us