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You got it. These are things you can do with Facebook. Aaahh. Social media.
Read. Study. Memorize. Meditate. Obey.
These are things you can do with the Bible.
But it takes some diligence and discipline. I remember one of my seminary professors used to say that Scripture does not yield its fruit to the lazy.
Now there is nothing intrinsically wrong with Facebook. But as with anything else, it can consume much of your time. So my question is: “Is Facebook preventing you from having your face in the Book?”
“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation”
1 Peter 2:2
Here the apostle Peter gives us 3 keys to help us get into the Word.
1) Attitude
Peter says our attitude toward the Word should be “like newborn infants”. As a newborn’s cries are satisfied only when he gets the bottle, so you ought only to be satisfied when you get in the Word. As a newborn grabs the bottle, you are to grab the Book.
I recall when my children were newborns. They would cry and cry until they got that bottle of milk. And how their little eyes would gleam when they saw that bottle coming. Is that your attitude when it comes to the Bible?
2) Appetite
Peter here gives a command to “long for the pure spiritual milk”. It is not a suggestion. It is an imperative. We are to crave and earnestly desire the pure milk of the Word.
My wife loves to tease me that I have an unquenchable appetite when it comes to food. But of course you would never guess from the lean frame that I carry. Do you have such an unquenchable appetite when it comes to the Bible? Do you crave for it and earnestly desire it? Is it to you, as it was to the prophet Jeremiah, the joy and delight of your heart?(Jeremiah 15:16)
3) Aim
Peter concludes with a purpose clause “that by it you may grow up in your in your salvation”. The aim of having the attitude of a newborn and the purpose of having an appetite for the Word is your spiritual growth.
Now you cannot grow if you do not know the Bible, but you surely can know the Bible and not grow. Biblical knowledge does not necessarily and automatically equate with spiritual growth. Spiritual growth is directly proportionate to your intake of the Word.
Earlier in his epistle Peter described the Word as the imperishable, living and eternal seed by which we are born again(1 Peter 1:23-25). And it is this same Word by which we grow spiritually. The Word is essential not only for our salvation, but also for our sanctification(John 17:17). It alone is living and active(Hebrews 4:12). After all, it is breathed out by God(2 Timothy 3:16).
How much time will you spend on Facebook today? This week? How much time will you spend in the Word today? This week?
What will motivate you to have this attitude and appetite for the Word for the aim of growing up into salvation? Peter says your motivation should be in light of what God has done in graciously saving you, “if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.”(1 Peter 2:3)
Facebook or face in the Book?
