I’m the proud father of a 13-year-old daughter and a 8-year-old son. Abigail is kind, plays the clarinet, and has never met a stranger. Wesley is full of energy, loves to create, and is bashful around those deemed unknown.  

Some days are easier than others.  Recent days are filled with sibling fights but tons of fun and memories.  One most days – when our patience levels are high – we find it all cute.  After all, she’s 13 and he’s 8.  They are doing things you’d expect them to do.  

Yet, imagine Abigail exhibiting the same behavior when she’s 15 or 20 or 25 or 30.  Suddenly such behavior isn’t so cute.  Eventually, an 13-year-old must grow up. Imagine Wesley exhibiting the same behavior when he’s 10 or 15 or 20 or 25 or 30.  Not so cute.  Eventually, an 8-year-old must grow up.  

Don’t be a spiritual baby.

The discussion on growth in 1 Peter 2 connects back to the infant metaphor the Apostle Peter introduced in 1 Peter 1:3. Through Jesus we are birthed into a living hope.  Through Jesus, and Jesus are alone, we are birthed into abundant life on earth and eternal life in Heaven.  

Yet, we must grow up in that salvation.  Just like a newborn baby begins to walk, to talk, to grow into a toddler, a kindergartener, a preteen, and teenager – so does the person of faith.

In the laundry room of our home, we have a cute little display that records the height of our children.  At specific times of the year, we’ll stand Abigail and Wesley against the wall and place a pin into the display.  On the tag attached to the pin, we document name and age.  It provides verifiable proof of growth.  

What is your spiritual maturity level at the moment?  Where is your verifiable proof of growth? 

Obviously, spiritual growth can’t be charted like a height on a wall.  But tell me a story of when your faith was stretched and deepened.  Tell me of when you recently encountered the goodness of God.  Tell me of when you cried out to the Lord for his will to be done.  Tell me of when you said “no” to your desires and “yes” to the will of God.

Sin seduces while God sustains.

As a signal of spiritual growth, the Apostle Peter instructs that things need to be removed from our lives.  He provides the imperative: “Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, slander of every kind.”

Malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind – That’s behavior of a spiritual baby follower of Jesus.  Yet, don’t let the specifics of the list fool you.  Feel free to insert your own list of vices, temptations, failures, hang-ups, and sins.  Peter was in no way being exhaustive. 

We need to be reminded that sin seduces.  It catches our eye. It occupies our thoughts.  It moves to consume our time.  Before we know it – it has gripped our hearts.  Yet, it never fulfills.  It merely seduces.  It stunts our spiritual growth.  You can feast on sin and never grow but merely grow sick.  

Sin seduces while God sustains.  When you taste and see that the Lord is good, you find that he sustains and satisfies.  There are no empty calories when it comes to the Lord.  He provides everything needed for growth.  

The time to grow up is now!

Maturity happens through craving spiritual milk.   Like newborn babies, crave that which allows you to grow.  Put the empty calories of sin aside for that which sustains and satisfies.

Above all else, craving pure spiritual milk is a reference to word of the God discussed in 1 Peter 1:23-25. It is by the word of God we come to faith and it is by the word of God we grow in faith. Through the word we encounter the character of God and the will of God. Get it into your heart and mind.  Get it deep into your bones.  Read it. Study it.  Memorize it.  Meditate upon it.  Live it out. 

Spiritual milk also includes a healthy diet of:

Spiritual Disciplines:  You need to have a regular intake of Bible reading, prayer, worship, giving, thanksgiving, confession, fasting, and more.  You need the things that draw you closer to the Lord. 

Christian Community: You need people in your life that will lead you away from sin and to the Lord. I want spiritual giants in my life who will pray for me and with me.  I want spiritually mature Christ followers who will show me faithfulness to God.

Personal ministry:  Nothing grows your faith more and faster than getting your hands and knees dirty in personal ministry.  Find a way to serve.  Find a way to put your gifts to work.  Find a way to share the Lord with a friend or neighbor.

Have you tasted that the Lord is good?  If not, seek Him for he is good.  He loves you and has provided you with everything – to include the offer of eternal life. 

Have you tasted that the Lord is good?  If so, grow up.