The Corner Stone Of The Word

The Corner Stone of the Word

1 Peter 2: 1-8

We have considered much within the first chapter of Peter’s first epistle. It has been quite encouraging, enlightening, and challenging. We have been reminded of who we are in Christ and some of the responsibilities associated with a proper relationship with the Lord. The first chapter ended with the promise that the Word of God was eternal, enduring forever. Chapter two picks up with a challenge for believers to continue in the Word, through which we grow in our faith.

As I considered the depth of this passage, and it reveals much, I was reminded that Christ is in fact the living Word. John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:14 – And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Christ the Lord came into this world, robed in flesh, the embodiment of the eternal Word. The living Word came to bear witness to the written Word. Every believer is obligated to abide in the written Word and the living Word. If we faithfully abide in the written Word, growing thereby, we will naturally abide in the living Word, enjoying fellowship with Him. One cannot have a right relationship with the Lord apart from the Word. The Word, both the written Word and the living Word, is the corner stone of our faith.

As we discuss the certainties Peter revealed in the text, I want to consider: The Corner Stone of the Word.

I. The Influence of the Written Word (1-3) – Peter began this thought with a challenge regarding the influence the Word of God should have in the life of believers. Notice:

A. The Submission (1) – Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings. Believers were responsible to submit themselves to the Word, living according to its precepts, producing a radical change from the old man of sin. Such submission to the Word would result in the believer willfully laying aside certain characteristics that marked their life before salvation in Christ. They were expected to lay aside, to forsake and abandon, all malice. This speaks generally of ill will and wickedness. It also refers to deep seated feelings of anger, hatred, and bitterness toward another. They were expected to lay aside all guile. This refers to acts of deception and being misleading; one who is two-faced. They were not to be guilty of hypocrisies. This speaks of one who pretends, puts on a show, or seeks to portray something he is not. In Peter’s day, the term often referred to the wearing of a mask, as one would do in a theatrical play, seeking to hide the true identity and be perceived as another. They were to lay aside envies. This refers to one who covets the possessions of another, so much so, that if necessary, they would be willing to take from another in order to obtain their possessions. Finally, they were to lay aside all evil speaking. This was a broad term that referenced criticism, judgmental attitudes, backbiting, gossip, condemnation, or grumbling. It also includes speaking against another in a slanderous way in order to tear down and destroy.

B. The Expectation (2) – As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. This requires little explanation or application. Peter was writing to young believers, those newly converted to Christ by faith. He challenged them to be as a newborn baby, sincerely desiring to eat the milk of the Word of God in order to grow and mature in their faith. Like a physical baby, daily, consistent nutrition was required for growth. (I want to add however, Peter nor any of the other apostles, desired believers to remain babes in Christ. They were to feast upon the milk of the Word with the expectation of eventually consuming the meat of the Word.)

C. The Consideration (3) – If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Peter offered a personal challenge to every believer reading or hearing these words – if you have in fact tasted the graciousness of Jesus Christ the Lord, then you should desire to feast upon the Word in order to grow thereby. He revealed there was no excuse for any believer to avoid partaking of the Word on a consistent basis. Each was responsible to ensure they consumed a steady diet of the Word which would result in desired growth and maturity.

This also implies the more one feasts upon the pure Word, the greater the realization of the graciousness of Christ. One will never fully experience the grace of our Lord apart from spending ample time in the Word. Feasting on the Word is not optional; it is required if we are to grow in our faith and relationship with the Lord. Many do not know Christ intimately because they fail to feast upon His Word.