“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.”
(1 Peter 1:23)
The Bible is not like any other book. Though it has pages and ink and binding like other volumes, its nature is distinctly different because its Author is God. The words of Scripture are therefore—like its Author—living, enduring, and incorruptible. And through its words the voice of the Lord awakens the souls of men. As the apostle Peter declares, believers are born again by this same Word of God that lives and abides forever.
Natural life that comes from corruptible seed may flourish for a time, but eventually it fades, withers, and dies. In contrast, spiritual life is eternal because it derives from the incorruptible seed of God’s Word. The Holy Spirit works through this living Word, bringing new birth to dead souls and everlasting life to mortal men.
And just as a newborn begins to grow and behave in keeping with physical life, so too the believer, made alive by the Spirit, begins to walk in holiness, for the Spirit who caused the new birth also empowers the new walk. “The incorruptible Word that gives life also gives strength to live in obedience and purity before the Lord. The Word is the seed incorruptible; but it cannot beget us, or be a principle of a new life within us, except a living spirit come along to our hearts. Know that the Word is your pattern and rule; the Spirit your leader and helper whose virtue and power must conform you to that rule.”[1]
Moreover, the life born of incorruptible seed cannot be extinguished. Because the incorruptible Word abides forever, the life it generates is eternal, confirming the permanence of our salvation. “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6).
Let us then treasure the Word as the eternal truth of God. Let us seek the Spirit’s help to live according to its precepts. And let us never forget that it is by this incorruptible Word of the Living God that we have been born again.
Contemplation:
- The Source of My New Life. I was not born again through my own wisdom or strength, but by the incorruptible Word of God. I didn’t create new life in myself; it was given by the Spirit through the Word. This truth humbles me, yet fills me with assurance. For if my new life came from God’s Word, which cannot perish, then that life is secure forever. I must cherish the Word as the very source of my eternal hope.
- The Word Is My Food. Lord, I know I cannot live on bread alone. My soul needs nourishment, and You have given me Your Word as spiritual food. I’m often tempted to fill my heart with things that perish, but Your Word is enduring. It gives grace, builds faith, and produces joy. I want to feast on it daily, and not treat it like a casual supplement. Make me hungry for Your truth more than for anything in this world.
- Am I Growing in Holiness? I say I’ve been born again, but is there evidence of new life? A baby moves, grows, and matures. So should I. Holiness should mark my life if I am truly alive in Christ, so I must examine myself honestly. Do I desire purity? Do I turn from sin? The same Spirit who gave me life also gives me power to live holy, so I must ask for grace and pursue obedience with diligence.
- Loving the Family of God. Your Word says that those who are born of You love the children of God. Do I love the brethren? Do I serve them, forgive them, and rejoice with them? Or do I keep my distance? True love for fellow believers is a mark of being born again, so help my love for Your people be real, fervent, and pure.
Prayer (Supplication):
O Lord God of everlasting truth and boundless grace, I bow before You with gratitude and humility, asking for Your sustaining power to work in me according to the living and incorruptible Word You have given. You have caused me to be born again—not of flesh, nor of the will of man, but by the living seed of Your eternal Word. That seed has taken root in my soul, bearing the fruit of new life. I now plead with You to nourish it, strengthen it, and cause it to abound.
Lord, I ask You to make my heart ever tender to the ministry of Your Word. Let me not treat it as common, nor neglect it as optional. It is life, and I am dependent on it. Make me hunger for Your Word. Cause me to love its doctrines, heed its warnings, cherish its promises, and obey its commands. Give me diligence to seek its truth daily, and discipline to meditate on it deeply. Keep me from distraction and dullness, and let Your Word dwell in me richly.
Strengthen my resolve to sit under faithful preaching. Protect me from error and from preachers who mishandle the Word of life. Lead me to those who rightly divide the Word of truth, that my faith may be built up and nourished. Let the preaching of Your Word be powerful to convict, to correct, to comfort, and to compel me toward greater holiness and love.
O Spirit of God, continue Your work in me. You have planted the incorruptible seed—now water it, guard it, and make it fruitful. Cause me to grow in holiness, to reflect the character of my Savior, and to walk in newness of life. Help me live as one who has been born again, not merely in profession but in truth. Let my life be marked by purity, reverence, obedience, and brotherly love.
Grant me love for Your people, for all who have been born by that same incorruptible Word. Let our fellowship be sincere and deep. Guard me from division, bitterness, and selfishness. Teach me to love fervently and forgive freely. Make me an instrument of peace in the household of faith.
And when I falter, remind me that the life You’ve given is incorruptible. My salvation is not held by my performance, but secured by Your power. Let that truth humble me, yet also embolden me to persevere with joy.
I ask these things not because I am worthy, but because Christ is. I come in His name, under His righteousness, depending on His intercession. Uphold me by Your Word, and let Your grace abound.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for 1 Peter 1:23:
Heb. 4:12, James 1:18, John 1:13, Luke 8:11, John 6:63.
[1] Hugh Binning, The Sinners Sanctuary, (Edinburgh: George Swintown and James Glen and are to be sold at their shops .., 1670), 39.
