This Sunday we’ll be reading 1 Peter 1:22-2:3.
In this section Peter makes some strong statements about God’s truth and the word in relationship to our journey as Christ followers.
Now, it’s important to acknowledge that what we mean by the word of God and what Peter meant are not totally the same thing. Peter didn’t have a canonized New Testament, nor did he have immediate access to the Old Testament on a whim. For writers of the New Testament, the concept of the word of God meant the writings they were familiarized with from the Old Testament, and the kerygma – the apostolic proclaimation of the good news about Jesus. Now…I’m someone who believes that we don’t do damage to the original intent by inserting our present, canonized Bible into the meaning of the original writers, because I accept (by faith) that the Old Testament and the kerygma of the gospels developed into the bible we hold today. So…that’ s just my apology for extrapolation in the passage we’re going to read.
Reading about how this truth purified our lives for the purpose of showing love – what does that tell us about the priorities of the biblical revelation? What should the truth of the bible be producing in our lives…and is it?
Peter says that the word of God is living and abiding in and with us – what does that tell us about the nature of God’s word?
In chapter 2, he compares our need and intended longing to a baby craving milk (of the word…or maybe, the word lived out). What effect does Peter believe the word will have on our Christian journey?
How has the word affected you…or has it? In what ways is your life impacted by the story God reveals in Scripture?
Some stuff to ponder…hope to see you on Sunday!
WONDERWHAT 
So I have believed that “The Word” affects (effects?) change in me. And it looks like verse 25 the The Word could include “the good news that was preached to you.”
But I don’t usually see an immediate effect. For me, at least, I think the “Work of the Word” seems to work rather quietly, and then I look back a year or so (maybe more!) and wonder how I got here. And then I realize God has been guiding me, changing me, loving me.
I’m sure am glad I’m not the same person I was 10 years ago! And I credit the inward working of God. And so I hope I am encouraged to keep inputting The Word. And more than that, to continue working on knowing God, understanding his love for me, hearing him … And biblical revelation (and the underlying story) has been part of that for me.
I remember the first time I heard the gospel message of salvation. I was 22 years old, and had been searching and searching for something or someone to bring meaning or purpose to my life. It seemed there had to be more to life than what I had seen or pondered so far. A friend I worked for at the time, Lisa Dubreuil, invited me to church and praise be to Jesus, when I heard the “word” that fateful day some 23 years ago I found Him and it!! Immediately I knew it was Jesus and His kingdom that I had been missing and I knew right then and there my life would never be the same. The Word is powerful and able to give purpose, hope, and meaning to an otherwise empty and pointless life. Right away I started reading the Bible and began finding the answers to many of life’s questions. God began growing me as I began feeding on the “milk” He so generously supplies. Since then the road has been rocky and I have had my times of unfaithfulness, turning back to those old ways on occasion. But, Jesus has been there to pick me up and take me back every time and that has made me love Him even more..He is the word , He is alive, He loves us in spite of ourselves and He is with us now and forever. I’m not sure there is any better news than that!!
It is difficult for me to comprehend when I read, so I listen very closely to the teachings of the word. What do I get from these teachings? God is consistent with what he wants me to do. Love, love what you do, love your neighbor love that person you work with everyday that never has anything nice or positive to say ever. I am not supposed to understand why I am being told to this (because it is not of this world) but I have to believe what my Father is telling me repeatedly in His word. I love and want a closer relationship with Him. My truth is that my God loves me unconditionally and that is what he wants me to do give that love to others so they will know who He is through me.