The Upward Look
© Copyright 2009, Max D. Hutto,

“For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.”
   1 Peter 1:23 NIV ©

Peter returns to the imagery of the new birth he used in verse 3 which correlates with Jesus’ use of "born again" in John 3. He describes believers as having been born again or born anew. This new birth happened in the past when the believers trusted Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Yet this new birth has lasting effects because it is a life-changing experience. The believer is no longer the same because his nature has been changed. God has given the believers a new life beginning not from seed that will die, but from that which will live forever. This new life is eternal, everlasting in nature and comes through the Word of God.

Lord Jesus, my life has been radically and forever changed by Your Word. Teach me how to live in this new life obedient to the Word of God.

* (footnotes & credits)

NASB ©
The Bible quotes marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977,
by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA. (used with permission)

HCSB ©
The Bible quotes marked HCSB are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible,
© Copyright 2000 by Holman Bible Publishers (used with permission).

NIV ©
The Bible quotes marked NIV are from the New International Version,
© Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, by The International Bible Society. (used with permission)