1 Peter 2
1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
The Word changes you for the better, not the worse. It's The Only thing that really wakes you up to what's REAL.
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
As a "new Christian" you require milk of The Word, as you grow, see to it you go to The Meat. To many today stay in the milk and continue as babes. Many of these babes are pastors today. They are ignorant of The meat because they feel it's not necessary for them or others. There are three levels of understanding when it comes to The Word of God. See to it you get there as time is fast running out. STUDY! John 21:15-17 15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
[IF] you are serious and hungry for God's Word, He will see to it you are fed. He doesn't play the games of the worldly church.
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
Christ our "precious stone", our Rock. Just as when He walked the earth, they hated Him, they will hate you for speaking The Truth of His Words. Deuteronomy 32:31 For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges. Because it's speaking of tasting The Word and speaking it I will reference, Psalm 28:1 Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
When you stack stones you build a home. Christ is our Foundation we build from. The body of believers are a strong and mighty house.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
This should bring a verse to your minds. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
They hated Him then and many hate Him now and even so many that call themselves "Christian" but do so for money. Don't let the fact you get under their skin, when you mention His name, stop you from spreading The Truth of Him. We don't do it for gathering a friend, but to lead them to The Way to save their souls.
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
Many will be given The Word, but refuse it for what it says. Believe me, I see this all the time with many I know and have taught. They refuse it because they find what the world says is more "loving" or it conforms to the way they want it to be instead of The Way God intended it to be through His Word. They stumble at it, being disobedient to Him. Don't let it trip you up! Stay focused on what God says, not the worldly.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Can you see The Light now? We are the last of many to see this age of time. Make the best of it, make it be with Him that lights the path. Jesus!
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Once you repent and follow The Light you have obtained mercy. You feel the weight lift off and are ready to get things done.
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
Temptations and doubt do their best to overtake you. I beg you to see them for what they are and turn from them. God has given us the power, USE IT!
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Your action as a Christian will speak loader than words. Let both be in TRUTH and not conformity.
13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
Christians will follow the laws where they live. I don't believe we should when they go against God. He wouldn't want us to be without morals. As a REAL Pastor I will never marry homos and I will fight against the right to have abortions. You know why? Because I'm a REAL Christian not someone just saying it. If you vote democrat, you fight against the things of God.
15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
Let the evil people see what the good can do. Then "let the chips fall where they may."
16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
No matter the situation, a Christian is free. We repent and are forgiven, but doesn't kept us from the punishment of human laws.
17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
Show respect to everyone. Treat others as you would be treated. Love God! Those that follow God have no reason to have fear of Him.
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
We are to show everyone a Christian. Good, bad and ugly. If they wrong you, be as kind as possible. Do your job and let God take care of the rest.
19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
Christians can handle whatever may come. We are the can do people of God.
20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
Handle things, good or bad the way God would have you handle them, not the fleshly/worldly way.
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Many people haven't a clue about Christ, nor The Path He set for us. Are you a can do person of God or poor me baby of the world.
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
Christ is perfection and a REAL Christian strives towards that perfection. You won't find it by a verse, but by The Whole Book.
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
While on the cross and in pain, Christ asked they be forgiven. That is perfection! I honestly don't think I could do that. In my mind, I believe I would be spiting blood at them. As Christians, we need to get settled in our minds what it is we do and are to be.
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Only because of Christ, can everyone that believes be made alive. One Way!
25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Once you accept Christ into your life, you're no more lost. You're guided into safety and shown the path to take. In order to stay on that path, you're going to have to pick up His letter and study. You can't open something new and know how to put it together correctly. The Bible is The Manual for life.