As Christians, we are called to be holy witnesses for God. We are to carry and uphold the name of Christ throughout our entire life here on earth. However, it is very easy for a Christian to forget this especially when he is going through trials and tribulation, like the Jewish believers during Peter’s time who were scattered because of persecutions (1 Pet 1:1). The Apostle Paul had to encourage these Jewish believers and to remind them to conduct themselves as holy witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ.

As sin tarnishes a Christian’s holy witness, he must lay aside all manner of sin as described in 1 Peter 2:1 and repent and seek forgiveness from God and also from those whom he has sinned against or offended so as to restore his holy witness and testimony. If a Christian does not get rid of sins from his own life but continue to harbour them, those sins will become a hindrance to his walk with God and instead of being a holy witness, he will be a stumbling block to others. Moreover, his prayers will not be heard by God because of the iniquities that are in his heart. It is paramount that he removes all hindrances in his life through repentance so that he can continue to grow in the knowledge of God and live a holy life for the glory of God.

In order to live a holy life for God, a Christian must desire “the sincere milk of the word” (1 Pet 2:2). He must have the desire to want to know God more through the constant studying and obeying of God’s Word. Just as a newborn baby will need milk to grow bigger and stronger, a Christian must also have an intense craving for the “sincere” (unadulterated, pure, without blemish) “milk” (the Word of God) so as to grow spiritually. He must keep feeding on God’s Word by studying and obeying so that he can grow in Christlikeness, and his actions and decisions will be biblical, eg: children will honour their parents (Matt 15:4), husbands will love their wives (Eph 5:25), and parents will train up their own children (Prov 22:6).

Only Christians can have this desire for “the sincere milk of the word” because they have been born again, and have tasted the love and grace of God (1 Pet 2:3). Let us truly desire “the sincere milk of the word” so that we can keep growing spiritually and be a holy witness for God in this world, glorifying God. This is the sole purpose for our existence here in this world: that the world can see Christ through our lives. We must be a channel of blessings to others for the glory of God.