Salvation is not just something we receive — it is something we live.
A Growing Christian
I Peter 2:2
“As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.”
Spiritual birth must be followed by spiritual growth. A stagnant Christian is not God’s design.
Signs of Growth:
Hunger for God’s Word
Sensitivity to sin
Desire for righteousness
Increasing spiritual maturity
Hebrews 5:12-14
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
II Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
“If you are truly born again, something inside you will crave the things of God.”
A Chosen People
I Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Believers are not ordinary — we are selected by God for a purpose.
What Does All That Mean:
Chosen — God pursued you.
Royal — You belong to the King.
Priesthood — You have direct access to God.
Holy — Set apart for Him.
For What Purpose:
“…that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
We are saved to show the world who God is.
Ephesians 1:4
Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
Deuteronomy 7:6
For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
“You were not saved to blend in — you were saved to stand out.”
A Christlike Example
1 Peter 2:21
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
The Christian life is a life of imitation — we follow Jesus.
What Does That Look Like?
Walk in humility
Endure suffering faithfully
Refuse retaliation
Trust God to judge righteously
“Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return…” — v.23
Luke 9:23
Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Philippians 2:5
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
John 13:15
For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
“The world should be able to look at our walk and see the footprints of Jesus.”
I Peter 2 calls us to examine our lives:
Are we growing?
Are we living as the chosen?
Are we following Christ’s example?
“Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God…” — I Peter 2:10
“Don’t just claim salvation — let your life prove transformation.”