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1 Peter 2:2<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Truth to Learn<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The moment we became a Christian we started craving spiritual food.<\/p>\n Behind the Words<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cNewborn<\/span>\u201d is translated from the Greek word artigenn\u0113tos<\/span><\/em>, which is made up of arti<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cjust now\u201d or \u201cjust recently\u201d and genn\u0113tos<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cto be born.\u201d Hence it means \u201cjust born\u201d or \u201cnew born.\u201d<\/p>\n The word \u201cbabes<\/span>\u201d is from brephos<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201can infant.\u201d<\/p>\n The word translated \u201cdesire\u201d<\/span> is epipotheo<\/span><\/em>, which doesn\u2019t simply mean to desire but \u201cto earnestly desire\u201d or \u201cto crave\u201d something.<\/p>\n The word translated \u201cpure<\/span>\u201d is the Greek word adolon<\/span><\/em>, which literally means \u201cnot deceitful.\u201d Notice the play on words since the things we are commanded to lay aside are all deceitful types of things but the nourishment of the Word is just the opposite.<\/p>\n Meaning Explained<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n As with most cases in the Bible, when we are commanded to remove or lay aside something we are also told to put on, or start doing, something else. In the previous verse Peter told us to lay aside a number of unholy actions, each of which is associated with self-will. In exchange for laying aside such things we are to crave the sincere milk of the word like newborn babies.<\/p>\n One of the characteristics of a little baby is that he or she is always hungry. Likewise young Christians should always be desiring the nourishment of the Word of God. Personally, I question the salvation of any Christian who isn\u2019t hungry for the Word.<\/p>\n Now, let me carry this one step further. Unfortunately, today there are many Christians who, though they have been saved for many years, are still drinking from a bottle when it comes to feeding on the Word of God. The writer of Hebrews put it this way:<\/p>\n For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only<\/span> of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.<\/span> (Hebrews 5:12-14<\/span><\/strong>)<\/p>\n The only way we will continue to grow as Christians is to have consistent time in the Word and to expose ourselves to preaching and teaching that will provide us spiritual meat.<\/p>\n Application<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Is it your constant desire to become more Christ-like? Do you have a craving to learn more about the truths of God\u2019s Word? Are you getting that spiritual meat?<\/p>\n If you did not answer a resounding \u201cYes!\u201d to all of these questions, perhaps a time of prayerful discussion with your heavenly Father is in order!<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2008 Will Krause. All rights reserved.<\/span><\/p>\n – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –<\/p>\n <\/span>If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, you can call the church phone (618) 614-3070 and leave a message telling us your name and e-mail address or you can send an e-mail to:![\"signature\"](\"..\/..\/signature.gif\")
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