Good Craving
“Christian growth cannot be self-centered and individualistic, for it occurs in the context of fellowship, a fellowship which must deepen and remain for all eternity.” – Wayne Grudem
“Peter presents earnest love within the Christian community as the hallmark of having been converted. They are to love one another earnestly and to crave the spiritual nourishment that fosters a vital Christian community.” -Karen H. Jobes
“The word “crave” is a strong one, used of the ardent desires believers should have for God in the Old Testament. Babies long for milk that will sustain bodily growth, and similarly believers should desire milk for growth in salvation.” – Thomas R. Schreiner
Crave is a verb that generally carries a negative connotation. We crave sweets or fast food. But, Peter’s command (1 Peter 1:2) to us is to crave (long for (ESV), desire (CSB)) pure spiritual milk. The NLT includes the word must in its rendering of verse 2 and it is with that force that command is to come to us. We must crave pure spiritual milk. Having tasted God’s goodness, He demands of us this: crave more. What a gracious heavenly Father! He gives us unadulterated goodness for our souls and then commands that we crave more. How kind is He? What a good God we serve. Taste God’s goodness. Let it make you hungry for more. Keep working up an appetite for His goodness because, there is always more where that came from. Have done with the way this world does family and relationships (malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, slander). Learn this new family of which you are a part. Love one another. Rid yourself of all the stuff that competes with or sabotages loving relationships in this eternal family. Plumb yourself with your Heavenly Father whose eternal word has imparted eternal life to you. Level yourself with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Crave the goodness of God. It’s a must in this family!
Questions to think on: When did I last taste the goodness of God (from His Word or otherwise)? What ruins my appetite for God’s goodness? Is there one ‘relationship killer’ that I am more prone to than others? How can others help me grow in my appetite for God’s goodness?