Born Again In Christ (1 Peter 1:3-5)

Bible Passage: 1 Peter 1:3-5

As Peter moves from his introduction to the body of his letter, his focus is on reminding the readers about all that God has done for them. After an initial exclamation of praise, he recounts what God has already done in and for them, what God has for them in the future, and what he is doing for them in the present. These reminders provide us with foundation stones for our own identity in Christ.

Past – New Birth: When Peter uses the phrase ‘new birth’, he is picking up on the teaching of Jesus from John 3:3. In this verse, Jesus explains to Nicodemus that in order to see God’s kingdom, there needs to be a powerful work of God in a person’s life that makes them brand new and is akin to being born again. As Peter writes to the scattered believers, he wants to encourage them that this has already happened to them. When Jesus dies and rose again, so our old lives die with him and a new life is born in us. We are raised with Jesus to this new life. As we seek to answer questions about our identity, this new life is a core part of who we are now. Through this new birth we have a living hope, that whatever pressures we may face or difficult circumstances we might encounter, we can trust that God is with us and God is at work in and through those circumstances.

Future – Inheritance: In verse 4, Peter speaks of the inheritance that God has for believers. This future promise is part of the reason we can speak of a ‘living hope’ whatever the circumstances are. He teaches that this hope can never perish, spoil or fade. In other words it is guaranteed, and however hard things get here on earth, there is nothing that can threaten what God has for us. The inheritance is kept in heaven, and refers to the promise of future glory when Christ returns. On that day, the dead will be raised, and those who have been saved will receive eternal life on a renewed earth that is free from suffering, death and pain. Most crucially, God himself will be there and will dwell with his people. Justice will be done and every wrong will be made right. Having a clear sense of the future hope that we have helps us live in the present, and speaks of our identity as heirs of this blessed inheritance in Christ. We don’t need to earn anything, because God has it all stored up ready for us.

Present – Protection: Peter’s readers were facing opposition and persecution for their faith, so it was doubtless encouraging to them to be reminded that they are being shielded by God’s power. This does not imply that they would never have to endure hardship or suffering, but it does place a bound around what that suffering can do to them. Nothing eternal can be taken from them, however hard the persecution gets, and the inheritance that he has already spoken of is guaranteed. Peter’s point is similar to the one that Paul makes in Romans 8:35-39, where he asks “who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” and concludes that “neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, not any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” We can be confident that God is at work shielding and protecting us, and this confidence allows us to find joy and hope, even when we suffer.

Potential Applications:

• Some people present currently may be facing opposition and hardship. You could offer prayer for them that they would know the living hope that Peter speaks of.
• Being born again is the beginning of a journey of following Jesus. Offer people the opportunity to put their faith in him for the first time and experience this new birth.
• Sometimes we do not think as much about our future inheritance as we could. Spend time inviting people to picture the future glory, and then together pray some prayers of hope and longing.