August 1, 2023

1 Peter 2:1–3 (NKJV) — 1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit,
hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure
milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted
that the Lord is gracious.
In college football, a player can enter a “transfer portal”. The player signed
up with one school to play for them but decided he wanted to transfer to
another school. When the player transfers to the other school and plays
football for them he does not carry the old uniform, playbook, coaches, or
other players with him. No longer is the player identified with his old football
team. People may talk about his past, but the player is focused on his new
team. He has laid aside his past and is focused on being the best player he
can be for his new team.
In simple terms, we as Christians, believers in and followers of Christ have
made a choice. We have transferred from being followers of Satan and living
by the strategies of his playbook. Christians are followers of Christ and the
playbook is completely different. Jesus is now the leader of our lives. His
leadership is more than following what happens between the boundaries of a
football field. Each player on Christ’s team is to follow His leadership not only
on the field but in everyday life.
What would happen if a player went on the field of play and continued to use
the playbook of the old team? What if the player still wore the old team’s
uniform on the field? Life for that player would be in turmoil and others
would question his commitment to the new team!
Peter asks an important question. If we have truly transferred from the life
of satanic influence, why are we still living by its playbook? Why are we
allowing the plays of the old life to dominate our lives? Why do we go on
living as if we still wore the clothing of the old team?
Peter warns us that there are some things that defile the believer. We are to
take these things and strip them off just as we would strip off filthy clothing.
What are we to put on? Our appetite changes as Christians. We strip away
all the old and put on the things of God. Peter uses the analogy of food and
nutrition. He goes back to the newborn baby just coming into the world. The
baby desires the nourishment of milk. From the milk comes growth. The
newborn person in Christ desires the milk, the Word of God. From this milk
the newborn Christian Grows. The old ball field is no longer desirous to the
newborn Christian.

2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”