1 Peter 2:2-3 (New International Version)

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”

1 Peter 2:2-3 (New King James Version)

“as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”

Do you remember your first meal? I’ll bet not! Have you gained any weight since you were a baby? I’ll bet so! I bet if we interviewed your mother, she’d say you consumed a LOT of milk as a baby! That stuff was perfect for helping you grow though – predigested nutrients delivered at body temperature in a loving and caring fashion. Just the scene of a baby at their mother’s breast is soothing and comforting! Nothing will grow a child faster than their mother’s milk… it’s just the perfect food for those starting out in life.

Hearing the Word of God is pure spiritual milk. It is food given in its simplest form delivered by someone else. It is ALL about your relationship with Christ, and it is the stuff our newborn souls feed on. And though you may not remember much about your first birthday, your spiritual birthday is probably marked by strong memories – it is, after all, a waking up from a near death sleep! Once awoken, your soul should be hungry – that’s the first sign you’re alive in Christ. Hear the Word of God preached. Listen to CD’s, tapes, Christian radio (all predigested spiritual food).

Think about the concepts in 1 Peter 2:2-3. When you first came to Christ, what aspect(s) of His goodness do you remember?

Why do you think “hearing” the Word of God is integral to spiritual growth?