Devotions: Spiritual Food

like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

1 Peter 2:2-3 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The previous verse starts with the word “therefore” which is always an indication that what is said is based on what was before. Chapter 1 ended talking about loving each other, living in the love of Christ, because we have been born to new life. So we are to put off the things or “food” of the world and instead seek the “food” of the Spirit, which is the word of God. We have to be as a child before we can be saved, not that we are to be immature, but we are to be innocent, humble, and dependant on God. We cannot be saved if we are corrupt, arrogant or self sufficient; all of those are contrary to the Kingdom of God. We are to be babes in the Spirit. Any parent will know that newborn babies can only have milk, or some similar substitute. It is several months before they can handle real food of any kind. In this analogy, milk represents the Word of God, meaning that as spiritual babies, we need the Word, the whole Word and nothing but the Word in order to grow. Any kind of other “food” will make us spiritually sick. This refers not only to avoiding the things of the world but also the deep doctrines of Christianity. For a new Christian they can be indigestible and confusing, and may even cause them to turn away. Growing in respect to salvation does not mean gaining salvation. If we are babes of the Spirit we have already gained that, hence the new life. But we are not supposed to be saved and then stop, remaining as babies. We are supposed to grow and mature as Christians, becoming more like Christ. And we do that by consuming vast quantities of the Word. And not only consuming or reading, but studying and meditating. Reading without applying scripture can actually do more harm than good, because it desensitizes Christians to their sinful state. It makes them think they are ok because they have all this knowledge, but in reality they are just as bad as they were before. The Lord is so good, so gracious and loving! His mercy and grace are the greatest kindnesses ever shown to the human race. He saved us when we deserved hell! He offered a way for us to be with Him! If you have received this kindness, seek His “food” and grow in maturity from His Word!