Series | The
Life of Discipleship
Scripture | 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.”
Lesson 1 | Disciples Are Born Again
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 | (1) If you are not born again, place your faith in Jesus and be born again today. (2) Allow the Word of God to grow deep roots in your life and produce good fruit. (3) Lastly, remain in good faith- let nothing take away the Word of God from your life.
One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 2 Kings 18:13-19:37, Acts 21:1-17, Psalm 149:1-9, & Proverbs 18:8. Click here to read online.
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