1 Peter 1:22-25
Born Again of Imperishable Seed
Having spoken of our calling to live a holy life, even in the midst of trials, Peter returns to the doctrine he started with which makes living a holy life possible: The doctrine of regeneration, also known as being born again. Jesus said, “You must be born again” (John 3:3, 7). It is this miraculous event whereby a person is changed, transferred from the kingdom of darkness and into light, transformed from sinner to saint, and faith wrought within as the law of God is written on the heart. And all this is by the work of the Holy Spirit. Without holiness, no one can see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). And without being born again, no one shall ever be holy before the Lord. For this purifying of the soul which issues in a sincere love of the brethren is only possible, the Apostle tells us, by being born of the imperishable seed which is the “living and abiding word of God.”
It is this new man born of the Spirit and the Spirit’s setting up residence within which is the believer’s guarantee of his salvation (2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5). The one born of the Spirit carries the witness of the Spirit within. He cannot show it to someone else but only by his works—they are the fruit of his salvation (Ephesians 2:10).
The believer rejoices that his rebirth is of this “imperishable seed,” otherwise known as, God’s word. Unlike the things of this world which are here today and gone tomorrow, “The word of the Lord remains forever”—which indicates that our salvation remains forever. It is an abiding salvation which shall never be taken away from us. How different this is from the false gospels of the world which promise their own brand of salvation(s)—entertainment, luxury, food, drink, passion, money—all of which will one day pass away, indeed, are passing away with the world before our very eyes (1 Corinthians 7:31; 1 John 2:17). But when all else disappears, God’s word still remains. Even heaven itself shall one day pass away before the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1). But as creations of God, even those remain only because the Lord wills them so—that is, His word upholds everything. Take away everything else and all that remains is God and His word—which is what reality truly is.
You have been born of imperishable seed. You have been set apart unto the Lord and are being slowly remade according to the image of His Son. You have the Holy Spirit living within. Do not waste this time. Grow in the Lord, love the brethren, and produce the fruit for which God has prepared for you.
