1 Peter 1:22-2:3; Psalm 1, Love (3)

The command is: love one another fervently with a pure heart.  The rich explanation of the new birth gives us the reason for this command.  We were born again into sincere love of the brethren.  We see this same idea again in 2:3: if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.  That is a reference to the grace of salvation that is received by faith (Eph. 2:8-9).  Likely the Spirit gives these words to Peter from Psalm 34:8 where taste and see that the Lord is good is the poetic equivalent of trusting in the Lord.  “Taste excites the appetite” (ATR).  This is the point: since we have tasted the grace of God at the point of the new birth we will want no end to enjoying the pure milk of the word.  

The points of application involve repentance (v1) and renewal (v2), as always.  Laying aside in v1 is the same term as put off in Eph. 4:22 and Col. 3:8.

·        Put off …

o      All malice.  This can serve as an all-purpose term for general wickedness.  But specifically it refers to ill-will or the desire to injure others.

o      All deceit.  This refers to a decoy.  You put a wooden duck in the pond so as to deceive the real ducks so you can do them harm (and enjoy a wonderful meal).  We do not love those we are only using for our own pleasure.

o      Hypocrisy.  This is the stage play term.  We are hindered from love when we are merely acting out a part.  Often in Christian relationships we fear the day when others will discover our own need for God and forgiveness and help.  So we cover up and act as if we have no wrong.  In the end, of course, what is actually in our hearts will become evident.

o      Envy.  This is that form of hatred based in the displeasure that others have an advantage or blessing what we wish was ours.  This destroys love as well.

o      All evil speaking.  For the third time in this verse we have all.  There are many kinds of evil speaking (which means to defame): gossip, slander, fits of rage, degradations, condemnation, blasphemy and so on.  All of these need to be laid aside in order to love those around us.  We will delight in building them up, not in tearing them down.

All these things are the opposite of a pure heart (1:22).

·        Put on … desire the pure milk of the word.  Don’t misunderstand this verse.  Peter is not saying we should desire only the basics or elemental teaching of the word of God.  Rather he is saying we must always be desiring the word of God, never being in a place where we think we do not need this in our diet.  And our desire should be like the little baby that cries out for the mother’s milk, a desire that is satisfied but that then returns again and again.  We must be as Job who treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food (Job 23:12).  Our delight must be in God’s word so that we feast therein day and night (Psalm 1:2).  In this way we will grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ!