1 Peter 1:22-2:3; John 6:48-58, Love (2)

Our Lord has told us to love one another because that is the reason we have been born again.  In v23-25 there is a broader explanation of the new birth with application in 2:1-3.  From this amazing passage we learn the richness of our life in Christ.

We were born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible.  First note that we again have the perfect tense as we did in v21.  The emphasis again is on a once-for-all action.  But there is a significant difference.  In v21 the participle was “active”: we purified our souls in obeying the truth of the gospel.  Here in v22 the participle is “passive” meaning someone else is acting on our behalf: having been born again.  As we noted, regeneration is entirely the work of the Holy Spirit (v21: through the Spirit; cf. also Jn. 3:5-8; Titus 3:5).

Seed is the Greek term sporas.  It is used of seeds planted in a field as well as the seed from the husband implanted in his wife for conception.  Peter is saying that when we were born the first time it was a corruptible seed; we were born to die, we can say.  But the seed involved in the new birth is incorruptible, thus leading to eternal life.  Those who are born again will never die (Jn. 1:12-13; 11:26-26). 

We were born again through the word of God which lives and abides forever.  This answers the question as to the nature of the seed: the sower sows the word (Mk. 4:14). Note three essential truths about this seed.

·        The seed lives and abides.  These two terms can apply either to God or to the word.  Either view fits Scripture as God abides in the believer as does the seed, the word.  In this context I believe it makes sense to apply it to the word.  Heb. 4:12 tells us the word of God is living and powerful; it works in us reaching to the deepest recesses of our being discerning the thoughts and intents of our heart.  It is alive in the one who is born again; and it remains in the one who is born again.

·        The seed endures forever.  Since the seed is incorruptible it does not cease to live and abide in us.  Remember what Jesus said of Himself in Jn. 12:24: Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.  He was speaking of His own death which would be followed by His resurrection and through those events, which are the Gospel, many would live. 

·        The seed by the gospel was preached to you.  The gospel is the good news about Jesus Christ.  1 Cor. 15:3-4 tells us it is the message of what Jesus did in His death, burial and resurrection.  Rom. 1:1-4 tells us it concerning who Jesus was as Man (the seed of David) and God (the Son of God).  If we put all these truths together we understand that we are born again by the seed that is declared in the Gospel and that seed is Jesus Himself.   (1:1,14).  Did you notice this in the passage from John’s Gospel for today?  To believe in Christ, the Living Bread, is to partake of His life, to eat of His flesh and drink of His blood.  He who eats this bread will live forever. Amen!