Bible Chapter: I Peter 2

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    Malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.  That is a pathetic list if it describes a person.  We are to get rid of all that garbage and instead, crave good spiritual food.  Start with the basics and then go for the deeper spiritual food.    A new believer must learn the basics of the Bible, of the Christian life.  Then it is time to dive in to the deeper things of God.  Taste and see that the Lord is good.  Yes, once you have experienced the best, the slime of the world is repulsive.  So, learn to dine on the rich things of God.
    God calls us to understand that as believers we are strangers in this world.  We don’t belong here, for our citizenship is in heaven.  So, we are to abstain from the sinful desires that war against us and strive to trap us in a life of sin.  Sin leads to death.  Instead we are to live lives that are a good example among the heathen people of the world.  Let people know what a real Christian is.  This includes respect for authority and life in general.  Those who call Jesus their Lord really should be different from the rest of the world.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    I must continue to clean house.  I must continue to clear out the crud listed in verse one that wants to come in and mess up my life.  I must continue to crave the deep spiritual food God makes available.
    There is a great challenge in verse nine.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
    God has called His people to be holy, set apart from sin and belonging to HIM.  Then, through our lives and lifestyles we declare the praises of God. God called us out of darkness, fear, the mess of a sinful life into His wonderful light.  That is the best way to live.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I can help people see the difference between the common lifestyles of the world that surrounds us and what God offers to those who serve Him.  Life serving Jesus is so much better.  It gives eternal hope.