If anyone is in Christ, the apostle Paul says, he is a new creation, the old has gone the new has come -2 Cor. 5-17-. And as a new creation, we now have a new identity and a new calling. Apparently, it's important to Peter that we understand our identity in Christ, because in these four verses we have at least 10 different descriptions- we're a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, etc. Along with our new identity, we have received a new calling- we are to proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.

When you're going through a difficult time, few things for prove to be an anchor to your soul such as the truth that a sovereign God has a good plan and a good purpose for all that is taking place in your life. In these verses Peter shows us that the sovereign plan of God is unfolding in the lives of God's people, in the life of Christ, and even in the life of God's enemies. The plan for God's people is to build them into the most magnificent architectural structure that the world has ever seen-a spiritual house, where we serve as priests, who offer spiritual sacrifices.

Not everybody grows up, many people just get older. Becoming mature over time requires intentionality. The apostle Peter tells us that we can grow up when we put away, like dirty clothes, all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, etc. Growth also requires a ferocious appetite for God's word, similar to that of a newborn infant who longs for milk. That little one's very life depends upon milk, and our spiritual life depends upon God's word. And that should motivate us to cast aside sin and turn to God's word, remembering how God has transformed our lives through his word, so that we have tasted that the Lord is good.

Peter assumes that if a person has been born again they will love one another earnestly from a pure heart. However, as we all know from experience love requires risk. How many hold back when it comes to love, so that they will not be hurt- But the command here is for us to be strenuous in our love for one another. Also, our love must be sincere, without hypocrisy, in other words it must flow from a heart of genuine affection. Since this is difficult to do, we need to pray for the Spirit of God to enable us to love as God is calling us to love.

Bless God for Living Hope