GOD'S POWERFUL ETERNAL WORD
1 PETER 1:23-25
1 PETER 1:23-25 NKJ
23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, 24 because
"All flesh is as grass,
And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.
The grass withers,
And its flower falls away,
25 But the word of the Lord endures forever."
Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
Peter was writing his letter to Jewish believers who were struggling with persecution. He does not patronize them but rather encourages them and reminds them of their love for the Lord. And that God is the source of their faith and hope.
Peter reminds these believers that they have been born again. Through the imperishable word of God. God's word is not like the seed of this realm that can perish. God's word is living and will exist forever.
The next verse refers to the temporary nature of our flesh. It's like the flowering grass. It flowers and falls away. Just as man's glory does. Here today but gone and forgotten tomorrow. But the word of the Lord endures forever. Peter makes the connection that for those born of God's word, they will not be like the fast-fading flowers of the grass. Those born of God's incorruptible word will live and abide forever.
To people going through difficult times, this is such great news. The things down here on earth are temporary and passing away. But God's word, the word that caused you to be born again, is forever for eternity. Never loses power, fades out, goes out of style, or changes. Endures forever. This is the word we preach. This is the basis of the gospel, the good news. The forever good news based on God's powerful, eternal word.
APPLICATION:
Putting this verse into practice will start with the acknowledgment of God's word as eternal and not subject to death or decay. And acknowledging that we who have received Jesus have been born again, spiritually, when we believed and received this word. Since we are a product of the imperishable, eternal seed, we can look with different eyes regarding our life here on earth.
Everything around us is or will be dying at some point. But not us. We are part of an eternal kingdom based on God's eternal word. This world is for a short time. God's word is forever. So we apply these verses by acknowledging God's eternal word and His eternal kingdom and our eternal life with Him. Powerful!
PRAYER:
Thank You, Father. Your word lives and abides forever. And it lives and abides forever in me!