“…since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable,
through the living and abiding word of God.”
(1 Peter 1:23)
In the simplest of terms, the Bible is a book. But this book is not like any other book, because its author is God. The Bible is the Word of God, and the Word of God is alive because it is the self-revelation of the Spirit of God. It is therefore incorruptible (everlasting, abiding forever), as God is incorruptible.
His incorruptible Word and His Spirit are the means that give new life to those who are dead in sin. This “new birth” to everlasting life is in direct contrast to a natural birth that gives way to physical life that inevitably ends in death. Those who are believers in Jesus Christ, God’s Savior, are born again by His Spirit, and the means the Spirit uses to give believers this spiritual birth, is “not of perishable seed, but imperishable,” (1 Peter 1:23).
This is so because the Word of God is described as an imperishable, or incorruptible, seed, as opposed to the common seed of nature, which is defiled by sin. As Job 14:2 says, “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one.” John 3:6, “That which is born of flesh is flesh.” The second birth is from incorruptible seed – spiritual, clean, and holy. The fruit of that birth is immortal.
In 1 Peter, the apostle encourages the saints toward holiness and love, both of which arise from the point of being born again, or regenerated (John 3:3, 5).
Regarding holiness, we that have experienced a new birth should, by default, live a new life. When a baby is born, natural life is present. They move and eat and sleep – all normal physical functions of one who is alive. Eventually they grow to walk and talk, think and evaluate.
When a person is born again by the incorruptible seed and Spirit of God, they are enabled by that same Spirit to live in a way that reflects God’s nature – holy, good, righteous, and true. One who is not only alive physically, but spiritually as well, will walk in a manner consistent with their new birth.
In addition, a true believer loves the brethren, their fellow believers. Of course, there is ample reason to love fellow believers because we belong to the same family. We have the same Father. We love the same God. So, when Peter says “Add to godliness brotherly kindness,” it is only reasonable that we should live in love with the rest of our Father’s children.
The new birth not only gives us reason to love our brothers and sisters in Christ, but because the Spirit of God now lives in us, we possess the inclination, heart, and power to love them. The Spirit produces this love, as well as enforces it. 1 John 5:1, “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him.”
Further, our love for each other shows the outside world that we are true disciples of Christ: “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another,” (John 13:35). The same new nature that causes us to love our Father causes us also to love His children. Therefore, “See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently; being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible.”
Peter describes the Word of God as alive, abiding forever. God’s Word is like God Himself – life-giving, abiding and eternal. “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Word shall not pass away.” Praise and adore God for His life-giving, incorruptible Word by which we can be born again to eternal life!
- How important, Lord, is the ministry of Your Word to Your people? The ministry of the Word is Your primary ordinance for gathering believers together. Your Word has been established by You to continue in the church to the end of the world (Eph. 4:13; Matt. 28:20). It is the incorruptible or immortal seed by which we are born again (1 Peter 1:23).
- Your Word is my spiritual food, Lord. And it is immortal. It is living, and it effectively turns into grace in the heart. “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you,” (John 6:27). As the Great Shepherd of the sheep Lord Jesus, You feed Your flock with food that is incorruptible and good in every way, leading me to everlasting life.
- I must be diligent regarding Your ordinances, Lord. That is where I find my faith multiplied and nourished. I must be careful and vigilant in hearing the Word faithfully and powerfully preached, for faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:14-15, 17). Your Word preached is the seed of faith and regeneration (1 Pet. 1:23, 25). I must see to it, then, that I sit under good preachers and good preaching.
- The sovereign work of the Spirit on my heart cannot be undone (John 3:1-16). This is why Peter says, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever.” My spiritual regeneration cannot be revoked. It is a deposit of an incorruptible seed that cannot be taken away. If Your Word stands firm, and Your promises cannot be revoked, then perseverance is a biblical and logical necessity. If the opposite of this were true, I would be a most miserable person.
Further References for 1 Peter 1:23
Heb. 4:12; James 1:18; John 1:13; Luke 8:11; John 6:63
