He says, For that reason, putting away all malice and all dishonesty, and hypocrisy and jealousy and evil talk, long for the pure milk of the Word, so you may grow by it, and if you do, you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

          What is the sincere (pure) milk of the Word? Well, milk is what is given to babes. And you know how, when you’re a child, (or sometimes even as an adult), when you discover something new, there is a passion inside you about it? The sincere milk of the Word is like that original passion you felt for the Word of the Lord (Jesus), when you were born again. You were excited about getting to know Jesus. You were anxious to learn all you could about Him. Peter is saying, long for that, keep it, live it, and if you do, you’ve experienced the kindness of God.

          And like at Jesus’ coming, as a living stone, rejected of men, but chosen by God, and precious, you also, as living stones are being built as a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by (through) Jesus Christ. It also says in scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation. He that believes shall not make haste (be forced to flee). Isaiah 28:16

          To you who believe, Jesus is precious. But to the unbeliever, Jesus is the stone that the builders rejected. That same stone is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense to those who stumble at the Word, being disobedient, to which they were appointed. Isaiah 8:14

          Just look at this literally for a moment. For those who believe in Jesus, He is a precious Stone. Not in the sense of being a jewel, but as a building block. He’s the foundation of everything. He holds everything together. He makes you strong. Without Him built into your life, your house (world) would crumble all around you. Now, for the unbeliever, it’s a different story. The builders (unbelievers) rejected this Stone. They cast it away, not accepting it. Now this Stone is made the head of the corner, which is the most important Stone in the structure, and at the same time, to the unbeliever, it is a stone that they stumble over, like an obstruction to belief or understanding, and they turn away from what God had in mind for them. Let’s continue now with Peter’s letter.

         But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, God’s own people; and you should announce the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. In the past you weren’t even a nation, but now you’re the people of God, a people who had not received mercy, but now have obtained mercy (Hosea 2:23).

          Dearly beloved, I beg you, as strangers and pilgrims (one who journeys in alien lands), refrain from fleshly desires, which war against the soul, having your manner of living honest among the Gentiles, that since they call you evildoers, they may, by your good works, which they shall see, glorify God in the day of judgment.

          In other words, Peter is saying, be a good example to the Gentiles. Let them see that you’re righteous, and maybe they’ll follow your example and their souls will be saved on Judgment Day.

          Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man (regulations, laws, etc.) for the Lord’s sake, whether it be to the king, as superior, or to governors. Think of them as those who are sent by the Lord for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of those who do right. Because this is the will of God, that with well-doing you may put to silence, the ignorance of foolish men, as free, and not using your freedom for a covering of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Respect the king.

          Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle masters, but also to the harsh. Because it is commendable, if a man for righteousness toward God, endures grief, suffering wrongfully (Matthew 5:10). How honorable is it, if when you’re beaten for your wrongdoing, that you accept it patiently? But if when you do right, and suffer for it, and you accept it patiently, this is commendable with God.

          To this were you called, because Christ also suffered on our behalf, leaving us an example, that you should follow in His steps,

          For you were like sheep going astray, but are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

          Now don’t forget, Christianity was a new thing back then, and if you were Jewish, knowing that your own people persecuted and killed Jesus, had to be pretty controversial for many. Peter knew this, and his encouragement to the Jewish people was sure to be welcomed. It’s really no different in our world today. It’s not so much a matter of loyalty to your ethnic background as it is simply whether you’re a believer or not. Unbelievers are affecting our schools, our governments, our rights, and the list goes on. We must be good examples, and live within the law, but as servants of God, and being righteous in His eyes will always be the most important way to abide.