“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow up into your salvation…”
1 Peter 2:1–2 (CSB)
What we do and how we interact with others determines our growth and likeness to Him. We cannot hold malice toward a brother in Christ and expect to grow in our relationship with Him. We cannot say one thing, yet live in hypocrisy and hope to be an authentic expression of Him.
To be envious of another is to be unthankful for the calling that God has placed upon our own life.
There is much good and godly teaching in the Body of Christ today, but unless we lay aside these evil things, we cannot experience the development of Christ within. There can be no going on without forsaking the works and attitudes of the unregenerate life.
We cannot hold on to offences and unforgiveness and expect to grow in the “grace and the knowledge” of our Lord Jesus Christ! If He is gracious, forgiving, merciful and kind, how can I act contrary to His Nature yet declare that I know HIM?
“Therefore, laying aside all malice,
all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking…
that you may GROW thereby.”
True growth will only happen to the extent of my compliance with His nature.
“Blessed are the merciful:
for they shall obtain mercy.”
Matthew 5:7
Mercy given is the means to mercy received.
The character of Christ becomes ours
as we exercise His graces through us.
Salvation is not an event; it is a growing relationship. (John 17:3)
Related Post: Growing Into The Light
“Live to explain thy doctrine by thy life.”
Prior
Brian Troxel
