“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.”
(1 Peter 1:23)
Just as a newborn infant cannot effect its physical birth, believers cannot effect their “new birth.” Scripture makes it clear that spiritual regeneration is the work of God alone—a divine act, initiated and accomplished by the Spirit of God through His Word (1 Peter 1:23, James 1:18). This is an act of grace, undeserved and unearned, where God, by His sovereign will, calls dead sinners to life.[1]
God’s Word is the living instrument through which He breathes life into our dead souls. Just as He created the world with His spoken word, He recreates us through His written word in concert with His Spirit. Without the Spirit’s intervention, we remain spiritually blind, unable to see the beauty of the gospel or the necessity of salvation. But when the Word of God is proclaimed, the Holy Spirit opens our hearts to understand and receive the truth.
Jesus Himself emphasized this mystery in John 6:44, where He says, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.” This drawing is a gracious pulling of our heart toward God, making us willing and eager to know and obey God. This supernatural act in which the Spirit regenerates our nature enables us to respond in faith and repentance.
Just as a child must be alive before it can cry or breathe, we must be regenerated before we can exhibit true faith and repentance. This order is essential. If faith and repentance were necessary for regeneration, then we would be attributing part of our salvation to our own efforts. But the gospel teaches that salvation is entirely of grace—God’s work from beginning to end.
Philippians 2:13 also confirms that it is God who works in us to accomplish His will and “His good pleasure.” He changes our desires, enables us to trust in Him, and empowers us to live out the new life He has given us. This is the miracle of regeneration—a life born not of human will, but of God’s sovereign grace.
So we do not contribute to our spiritual birth any more than we contributed to our physical birth. It is the Spirit of God, working through the Word of God, who brings us to life, enabling us to believe, repent, and follow Christ. As we reflect on this, we are reminded to continually rely on the Spirit, to cherish the Word, and to give all glory to God for His saving work in us.
Contemplations:
- God’s Sovereign Work in Me: As I think about my salvation, I realize how powerless I was to bring myself to faith. It was God alone who opened my eyes, softened my heart, and drew me to Himself. I was dead in my sins, incapable of reaching out to Him. But by His mercy, He reached out to me. I thank God that my salvation does not depend on my efforts or strength but entirely on His grace. “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth,” (James 1:18).
- The Power of the Word and Spirit: I often underestimate the power of God’s Word and how it works with the Spirit to bring life. The Bible is living and active, able to pierce through my hardest defenses. When I open Scripture, I must remember that the Spirit is at work, using God’s Word to shape me and mold me. As 1 Peter 1:23 says, I am born again by the Word of God, and it is this Word that continues to sanctify me daily.
- Faith and Repentance as Gifts: Sometimes I fall into the trap of thinking that faith is something I must muster up on my own. But faith is a gift from God, a fruit of the new birth. And in fact, every act of faith and repentance is a result of His Spirit at work in me. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God,” (Ephesians 2:8).
- The Spirit’s Ongoing Work: Regeneration is not a one-time event but the beginning of a lifelong process. The same Spirit who gave me new life continues to work in me, transforming me into the likeness of Christ. I must rely on Him daily, trusting that He will complete the work He began in me. Philippians 2:13 reminds me that “it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” My part is to remain surrendered, letting the Spirit guide me in all things.
Further References for 1 Peter 1:23:
Heb. 4:12; James 1:18; John 1:13; John 3:3; 1 Peter 1:25
[1] John Robinson, A Defense of the Doctrine Propounded by the Synod at Dort (Amsterdam: Successors of G. Thorp, 1624), 132–136.
