Pam Padgett - teacher
In 1 Peter 2:2-6 we see some of the ways the word of God is precious (of great value) ....
1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
We grow by meditating in the Word of God and going in the way we are shown by the Word ... growing, more and more conformed to Jesus Who pleased the Father in all things.
Jesus gave a parable showing how critical it is
for us to abide in Him, the Word. This is the only way we can grow and bring forth fruit by the will of God. We can do nothing that pleases God aside from
the Word; instead, we will whither up.
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch
cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can
ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that
abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for
without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a
branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the
fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall
ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father
glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
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1 Peter 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, ...
The word of God is living, providing exactly what we need at the time it is brought to our attention by the Holy Spirit, and bringing about the will of God in what we're dealing with.
The word of God is a stone ... solid. It will never fail nor change.
We can safely depend on the word of God to be true and to shine light
from God on the matter.
Recently when one of my cats became ill, the vet said there was a slight chance the cat may get better on its own but that critical care was recommended. I turned to God, asking what to do. I was reminded of ... They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. (Luke 5:31)
I believed I was being shown to take the cat, which was sick, to the critical care facility. This was exactly what was needed at that point, for the cat got worse and could be kept as comfortable as possible there. It would have been very difficult for me to see the cat grow worse at home. This was the best way for both me and the cat.
1 Peter 2:4 ... disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
The word
of God is not allowed by those of the world going about
their worldly ways, not wanting to be influenced or directed by what God has said. When confronted with the word
of God, the world tries to refute or discount it so they can go on in their own ways.
But the word of God is chosen by God. It is HIS word in the matter and
it is precious ... of great value to God. Not to be cast aside, taken
lightly, or ignored.
And for those of us who have been born again and given the Spirit of God in us,
the word of God is precious as well. It is our life, showing us the way of
life, what we are to do. One example is that we abstain from fornication because of the word of God, such as
Ephesians 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Nothing is
more important, nor above, the word of God.
1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a
spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices,
acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in
the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect,
precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
A corner stone is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry
foundation. It is vitally important since all other stones will be set
in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire
structure.
The word of God is the chief corner stone. It is the foundation upon which
all that we believe and do is based. It does not change. What is accepted and viewed as right by the world changes, but the word of God shows what is right in the sight of God and never changes.
And as the Holy
Spirit leads us by the word of God our way is kept in the proper place,
according to the will of God. We live and grow exactly as God has
ordained for us as we abide in His word.