"Spiritual Milk" - 1 Peter 2:1-3

1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. (1 Peter 2:1-3 ESV)

      The beginning of chapter two is really just the finishing of the same thought we left off on in chapter 1.  We left off talking about living a holy life, and embodying our new identities as followers of Christ.  Verse one is a list of attributes and activities that are inconsistent with the holy life.   Also, this list is focused heavily on wrongs that are specifically against others- malice towards others, deceit of others, envy of others... they are all things that fly in the face of his earlier admonishment to "love one another earnestly from a pure heart."
      Then there is the longing for pure spiritual milk-  When we are born we know very little.  We soon learn to desire milk for the relief it brings to our bodies natural hunger.  In much the same way, Peter advises that we cultivate a natural longing for the things of God, and that it be our sustenance.  But we are not to stop there.  We are not to be forever content with milk.  Milk has a definite purpose.  It is full of nutrients and is very easy to digest for the infant, making it ideal for promoting growth of the young one.  But, there comes a time when the child needs to be weaned off of this milk and move on the solid food. The writer of Hebrews chastises his audience for not following this very progression.
      So what is to inspire this natural longing in us?  Peter tells us that if we taste the goodness of God, that this longing will result- a longing to grow; in maturity and in closeness with Him.  I think tasting the goodness of God is something that is easily done if we pay attention.  At one time or another we have all been on the receiving end of His goodness, and sometimes all it takes is a moment to stop and recall.  What can we be thankful for that He has provided? Think about that.  How has my life changed because of Him?  Think about that.  His goodness will create within us a longing for more-  May we never be satisfied with enough of Him.