THE PURE WORD

1 Peter 2:1-10

When I entered my sophomore year at Baylor another ministerial student tried to enlist me in Navigators, a Bible memory organization. He compared knowing scripture to his work as a shoe salesman working his way through college. He said he had to know his stock, so when a customer expressed his desire, he knew just what he had on hand and where to get it. Likewise, knowing scripture can make a difference in so many ways, first in witnessing and second in daily life. Honestly, when you face a decision, especially on a moral question, does your mind automatically search the scriptures for guidance? My new friend made a valid point, and although I did not join his organization, I had already grown up learning Bible verses through the various churches I had belonged to, and I've continued to add to my Bible knowledge every since.

2:1 – Remember the last chapter ended, “But the word of the Lord endures for evermore, and this word is the word of the Gospel preached to you. So then he challenges the young Christians to clear the decks for that Gospel by flinging away all malice, deceit, pretense, jealousy,and recriminations. Literally the list can say “badness, treachery or cunning,hypocrisy, envy or jealousy, evile speech.” The Bible loves to give us lists of things to avoid or to achieve. I'm guilty of racing past them to the next verb or something, but I've learned it pays to slow down now and then and examine myself against the list. Earlier today, I read an article where a guy compared his fascination with fantasy football to the so-called seven deadly sins. He found himself guilty of all but lust in that context. So go back and pause after each of the five sins to lay aside and ask how much and where they apply to you.

V2 – This is the verse I was talking about at the beginning. As newborn infants – we have been born again, and babies need milk. I recently read on Facebook a woman complaining that her newborn wanted to nurse ALL the time. That's a healthy sign of a baby who will grow. Seeking the word likewise helps Christians grow towards maturity. To do that, you must get pure milk. Look at the second word in the list above – deceit or treachery or cunning. The word translated “pure” here or “sincere” in KJV is the same word with a negative letter alpha before it. That “A” means without. Virtue is often the absence of vice. No pollutant. At this point Peter was talking primarily about the preached gospel as he indicated. But as that gospel was written and its implications worked out, it became the New Testament. Seeking the truths of the gospel and its implications in the NT stimulates spiritual and character growth. “Surely you have tasted that the Lord is good.” Even as spiritual infants, they have experienced the grace of God and His wonderful gifts.

One theme throughout scripture is God's first giving, then demanding. “I am Yahweh your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt. Thou shall have no other gods before me!” He saved Israel, then called them to follow. He saved us and likewise calls us to discipleship. Over and over you will find this pattern if you look for it.

V 3 – Peter now compares Christ to a rock, and Christians as living stones being built into His church. In the background certainly is the memory of his “great confession” recorded in Matthew 16. “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God!” Jesus nicknamed Simon on that occasion as “Rocky” - Cephas in Hebrew, Peter in Greek. Now Jesus is the Rock. I once spoke to a room full of Catholic priests on the 100^th anniversary of their church. I spoke on the saying “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church.” I pointed out that our denominations had argued for centuries about whether the rock meant Peter or his confession. Then I said that any grammar teacher would remind us that Jesus did not say Peter or believers would build His church. He said I will build my church. The resurrected Christ ever rebuilds and renews His church over the generations. But as smaller stones can make walls while resting on the foundation, so we are to allow Him to place us as He chooses.

The non-believing word rejected Jesus and crucified Him, but the Lord God found Him “choice and precious” and so raised Him from the dead. God vetoed sin, and death and hell. So don't be surprised if the world rejects you. In the background of this letter, some kind of persecution is going on. We don't know exactly what or when. Some would refer to Nero, others to local outbreaks. But Peter says there will be sacrifices they will offer. Note God is building us into a holy temple! He calls us a holy priesthood! A priest stands between God and man, representing each to the other. As priests we are called to use our gifts to be God's gift to the world in both evangelism and ministry. Compare this section with Romans 12:1-2. Both use the same words!

V 7 – Faith obviously is the difference between a believer and an unbeliever. But the reality does not depend on faith. Jesus is Lord, the Cornerstone, whether we believe Him or not. That stone can be the foundation on which we build our lives (see the end of Matthew 7) or a stumbling stone over which we trip and fall!

V 9 – Royal priesthood – we represent God and His Son Christ to humanity and intercede for them at the Throne. From verses such as this, Baptists and other Protestants have developed the doctrine of the priesthood of the believer. This doctrine denies we need a priest, church, or any other mediator besides Jesus Christ to channel God to us or us to God. One of the greatest obstacles to evangelism is the concept that somehow pastors and missionaries are the ones to do our religion for us. No way, no how, can't be so. My greatest role in the Kingdom of God is simply to be a disciple. That's far more important than my role as a pastor. You are called to as high a standard as I. You are given the Bible to strengthen your life as much as it is given to me.

A chosen race and a dedicated nation – Does Peter here say the church replaces Israel as the people of God. My whole understanding of the NT leads me 90% in this direction. The only thing that gives me pause is the reality of Israel's re-emergence as a state in 1948. So far as I know, that is unparalleled. Yet today's Israel is a secular state, not a religious state though some would make it so. The church has become world-wide, and we in the US lose sight of this. Even China has millions of Christians, as does Korea and many South American countries. You can revolutionize your Bible study if you pause to ask how you would read this scripture if you were a Christian in Iraq or Syria.

But don't overlook the reason He has called us His people: to proclaim the triumphs (plural) of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light! We all are to be preachers! Witnesses! Proclaimers! And we are to proclaim His victory! Our major responsibility is not to condemn the world, but to call the world to freedom and forgiveness in Jesus!