1 Peter 1:17-25

¹⁷ “If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; ¹⁸ knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, ¹⁹ but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. ²⁰ For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you²¹ who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Since you have purified your souls in obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brothers and sisters, fervently love one another from the heart, ²³ for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable, but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. ²⁴ For,

‘All flesh is like grass,
And all its glory is like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
And the flower falls off,
²⁵ But the word of the Lord endures forever.’

And this is the word which was preached to you.”

Verse 17: As believers, we have the privilege of calling on God as our Father. However, we must remember that He is also a just judge who evaluates each person’s work without partiality. In light of this, we are to live as foreigners in this world, recognizing that our true citizenship is in heaven. We should approach our time on earth with reverent fear, honoring God in all that we do.

Verse 18: We understand that our redemption from the empty way of life we inherited from our ancestors was not accomplished through perishable things like silver or gold. Our salvation is not based on material wealth or worldly possessions. Instead, it is secured through the precious blood of Jesus Christ, who gave himself as a ransom for our sins.

Verse 19: The redemption we have received is made possible by the precious blood of Christ. He is the perfect, unblemished Lamb who willingly offered himself as a sacrifice for our sins. His sacrifice is of infinite value and has the power to cleanse us completely.

Verse 20: It is important to recognize that Christ was chosen by God before the creation of the world to be the Savior. His redemptive work was part of God’s eternal plan. However, it was in these last times, during the earthly ministry of Jesus, that His identity and mission were fully revealed for the sake of all believers.

Verse 21: Through Jesus, we have come to believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him. Our faith and hope are anchored in God, who has demonstrated His power and faithfulness through the resurrection of Jesus.

Verse 22: As believers, we have been purified through our obedience to the truth of the gospel. This purification enables us to genuinely love one another with a deep and sincere love that flows from the heart. Our love for fellow believers is a reflection of the love that God has poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).

Verse 23: Through our faith in Christ, we have experienced a new birth, a spiritual rebirth. This new birth is not a result of perishable seed, but of imperishable seed, which is the living and enduring word of God. The Word of God, both written and incarnate in Jesus Christ, is the source of our new life and transformation.

Verse 24: Peter quotes from Isaiah 40:6-8 to remind us of the temporary nature of human life and achievements. Just as grass withers and flowers fade, our earthly existence is fleeting. This serves as a reminder to prioritize the eternal truths of God’s Word and the work of His kingdom.

Verse 25: In contrast to the temporary nature of human existence, the word of the Lord endures forever. The gospel message, which was preached to us, is an eternal truth that remains unchanged. It is a message of hope, redemption, and eternal life through Jesus Christ.