Saturday, September 18
Read I Peter 2
Think About It:
Growing in holiness is a lifelong pursuit! God’s Word, the Bible, is the source of gaining maturity in Christ. The more time you spend studying the Bible, the quicker you will grow and the easier it will become to detect lies and avoid pitfalls.
- Consider the five things we are to avoid in verses 1-3: Malice (all forms of wickedness, including deceiving others); Guile (to catch with bait, as a sly, crafty person who takes advantage of others); Hypocrisy (pretending to be someone you are not); Envies (including jealousy and spite, envy means “to wither, to shrivel”, so envy causes a believer’s walk with God to wither or shrivel); Evil speaking (defaming, speak down, talking lowly of people in front of other believers). Our words and actions should bless others as we grow in the knowledge of the LORD and are nourished by the Word of God. Ask forgiveness for any of this you see in yourself and confess your desire to lay aside any of these once and for all.
- “You are a chosen generation” (God’s chosen treasure), a royal priesthood and holy nation, set aside as God’s devoted one! Verse 9 continues that God called you “out of darkness to experience His marvelous light and now He claims you as His very own. He did this so that you would broadcast His glorious wonders throughout the world.” (TPT) Spend a few minutes taking all that in – reread that – and make it personal! He chose you! Give Him thanks in your own words for all He has done for you, just in this verse!
Family Time:
- You have been chosen by God to be His. According to verse 9, what are you to do now?
- As a believer, how are you to live in this world? (verses 11-17)
