Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 118th. Edition.
Dear Family, Today’s passage (1 Peter 1:22-25) concludes the discussion on the immeasurable value of our faith.
Reflection (v. 22). Peter wants his readers to ponder the implication of their decision to follow Christ. Yielding to God through the Holy Spirit, by whom their salvation was effected, means that they have been purified. This purification includes motives, so he encourages them to love one another intensely, with a pure heart. This means that love should be sincere, without ulterior motives or impure designs.
Regeneration (v. 23a). The call to pure motives for love is based on the fact that those in Christ have been born again. The statement here about incorruptible seed echoes the words of John that those who received Christ “were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13). And also the words of Jesus in the same gospel “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6). Those born of the flesh die because the flesh is corruptible (subject to decay). Those born of the Spirit will live forever because spirit is incorruptible.
Recollection (vv. 23b-25). Peter makes the statement that the new birth is “through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” This brings to mind the words of the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 40:6-8, quoted here. Isaiah dismisses flesh as being the same as grass, which withers quickly. In contrast, is the word of God that endures forever.
Peter then reminds us that this is the word we believed because it what was preached to us. In a word, Peter is telling us that we have signed on to a faith that is secure for eternity, so we should not be fazed by all the opposition and persecution. These cannot dampen our faith. As a matter of fact, they only serve as a purifier (v. 7).
We ought to look beyond persecution and suffering to the intended outcome of our faith.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.