1 Peter 1:23, “For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.”
Peter, a disciple of Christ himself, in the above passage is reminding the disciples under his care that they have been born again by the Word of God. It is always important to remember that the most important aspect of being a disciple is being born again.
“Born again” simply means that you have been given a new spiritual life from God. The Bible clearly teaches that without being born again spiritually you cannot see the Kingdom of God, John 3:3. In turn, if someone is not born again they must put their full trust in the full person of Jesus and receive eternal life, John 3:16.
The passage above makes reference to the Word of God’s role in the process of being born again. Peter writes that the Word of God acts as a seed that gives new life and it does not perish; it is living, and enduring. Likewise, Paul wrote in Romans 10:17, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”
As a result, when a lost person hears the Word of God it is like a seed being placed in their heart. However, like Jesus said in the “Parable of the Sower” in Luke 8:4-15 that if the seed falls on the road side (an unbelieving heart) the Devil comes and takes it away like a bird. If the seed falls on the rocky soil (a weak faith) the sun (persecution) will come and burn its little plant all up. If the seed falls among thorns (a sinful heart) it will be choked out by the weeds. However, if the Word of God comes to a heart with pure faith (good soil) it will grow and produce good fruit.
The Word of God is always the same and nothing can change its power. However, it is the faith of man, in his heart, that determines how the seed will grow in one’s own life. Therefore, have faith in God’s Word to be born again and remain in faith to have the Word of God continue to produce good fruit in your life.
Reflection
Do you have a fruitful new life in Christ?
Action
- If you are not born again, place your faith in Jesus and be born again today.
- Allow the Word of God to grow deep roots in your life and produce good fruit.
- Remain in good faith- let nothing take away the Word of God from your life.
