“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter 2:2–3, ESV)
There is not much an infant can do. They eat, sleep, and poop. They are needful. They rely upon a parent to take care of them. They could not survive on their own.
Another thing about infants is that they are the most selfish people in the world. Sure they are cute and all, but everything is about them. Their world revolves around them. They have no care or concern for anyone else. It's only as the infant grows into toddlerhood that they learn about the concept of sharing. And even then they don't want to do it.
It is the picture Peter paints of us when we are born again. We are born into spiritual infancy. He tells us to crave pure spiritual milk that we would grow up into maturity. Unfortunately, many of us are still baby Christians even though we have been sitting in pews for a long, long time.
Spiritually, we are a lot like infants. We are needful. We need Jesus more than we ever realize. We may think we are self-sufficient. Many people pride themselves of their accomplishments. But we could not accomplish one thing in this world apart from God enabling us to do so.
When we are immature in the faith it is all about us and our needs. But as we begin to mature in faith we realize that is about so much more than us. In fact, we come to grasp that it is not about us at all. Jesus would tell us to deny ourselves if we are to follow him. This is to deny our wants, needs, and dreams for something better. And that is the Kingdom of God!
What leads us to an abandonment of our infant ways to pursue maturity is that we taste of the Lord's goodness. We have a glimpse that there is a better way than living in selfishness. It comes from feeding on the Word, spending time in prayer, and prioritizing the community of believers. When we do these things, we grow.
Reflection
- What is the pure spiritual milk that Peter talks about?
- Where do you need to get back to the basics in your faith life and seek maturity?
Prayer
Lord, forgive me for my infant ways. I may think I am mature and self-sufficient, but I know I need you more than I ever realize. Feed me through your Word and the community of believers so I might grow into maturity and to abandon selfishness. Empower me by your Holy Spirit to grow into the man/woman you have made me to be. Amen
Leave a Reply