Peter has been challenging his readers to live differently from the rest of the world. Why should they do this? Because they have been born again (v. 23). This is also the answer to the question 'How can they live differently?'. The standards expected of them are impossible for ordinary men and women, but they have been born again. That gives new power in their lives. To be born again means that we have received new life in Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit. Peter says this whole process starts with the Word of God, the Bible. When a person hears the Word of God and accepts what it says, he is born again the moment he believes. Peter also calls it the 'abiding' Word of God and says it never loses its power. It will always have power to speak to us. Man himself, his laws, his buildings and his money are only here for a short time. But the Word of God has continued on through all the years and will continue until Christ comes or takes us home. When you first came to Christ, the Bible became a new book to you. It instructed you and helped you. Today it is still guiding you. It never changes. Ten, twenty years from now it will still be the same. It will help you now as it always has. It is the Word of God which lives and abides for ever. One result that should be seen in the lives of those who have been born again is love for each other (see v.22). Peter calls it 'sincere love' - love that is not put on but love that has real meaning. How can we love our fellow Christians as we should? The answer takes us right back to the beginning. We have been born again. Christ lives in our hearts. He will love others through us as we allow him. REMEMBER: As our love for Christ grows, our love for each other will grow too. |
沒有留言:
張貼留言