Because He is Gracious

I Peter 2:3

If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Beginning in I Peter 1:22, we see a definite connection between salvation and loving each other.  We have received new life from God (salvation), and with it we have been given the responsibility of a necessary love (love one another).  Before you go any further into this devotion, please read I John 3:14 and John 13:34-35.  The world needs to see God’s children actively loving each other.  It is one of the greatest testimonies of the power of the grace of God.  Here is an outline for I Peter 1:22 – 2:3.  I hope it is a blessing to you and that you will find the notes helpful.     

1. Salvation.  I Peter 1:22a  seeing ye have purified your souls
   A.  In obeying the truth – the gospel
         a.  the death – vs. 19-20
         b.  the burial – vs. 21
         c.   the resurrection – vs.21
   B.  Through the Spirit
2. Manifestation.  I Peter 1:22b
   A.  Unto unfeigned love of the brethren
         unfeigned – undisguised, not counterfeit, not hypocritical; real sincere
   B.  With a pure heart fervently
         fervently – with great warmth; in an outstretched manner; eagerly, earnestly, zealously
3. Foundation.  I Peter 1:23-25  by the Word of God
   A.  It is incorruptible
   B.  It is alive
   C.  It abides and endures forever
   D.  When it is preached, we hear the gospel message
4. Activation.  I Peter 2:1-2
   A.  Laying aside
         a.  malice – a disposition to injure others without cause based on personal gratification or revenge; to regard with extreme ill will
         b.  guile – duplicity, deceit
         c.  hypocrisies – appearing to be what one is not; assuming a false appearance of virtue or good character
         d.  envies – to feel uneasiness, mortification, or discontent at the sight of another’s excellence, reputation, or happiness. Envy comes from a foundation of pride
         e.  evil speaking – a talking against; speech that would injure or tear down another
   B.  Desire the sincere milk of the Word
5. Motivation.  I Peter 2:3  the Lord is gracious

David says something very similar in Psalm 34:8.  There, he tells us that the Lord is good.  I believe that the key word in both of these verses is “that”.  Many times we are asked to see “if” something tastes good, but there is no question whatsoever that God is good and He is gracious. In I Peter 2:3, we are given the reason for doing what God wants us to do.  He wants us to love one another.  Since God has given us new life, we must show the world around us a necessary love.