Peter speaks of Christians as, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (1 Pet. 1:23). Have you ever wondered what is involved in being "born again"? The answer is found in the very context of Peter's statement. Note three inseparable things that are involved, without which, no person can be saved.

Our Redemption

The first thing involved with being "born again" in this context is our redemption. Peter writes, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Pet. 1:18-19). Before considering what we are and are not redeemed with, note that from which Peter's first readers were redeemed-"your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers." The term "vain conversation [aimless conduct, NKJ]" can refer to any life-style apart from God. However, here the term is especially suggestive of a life of idolatry, which is definitely futile (cf. 1 Kgs. 17:15; 1 Cor. 8:4; Jer. 2:5, 8; Acts 14:15; Eph. 4:17). This worthless manner of life was handed down to them from their ancestors. "Received by tradition from your fathers" is translated from one Greek word that takes the word for "father" and combines it with the word for "tradition." Just because we have done what our ancestors have for generations does not make it right. When that traditional way of life is "vain," we stand in need of redemption.

We were not redeemed with corruptible things such as silver and gold. "Corruptible [perishable, NAS]" refers to those things that are subject to decay. Silver and gold were normally used to ransom slaves in Peter's day, but they cannot redeem any person's soul. The only thing that can redeem the human soul is the "precious blood of Christ" (1 Pet. 1:19). Christ's blood is infinitely more precious than silver and gold because only it can cleanse our conscience (Heb. 9:14); give us access to God (Heb. 10:19); continually cleanse us from all sin (1 Jn. 1:7); give us victory over Satan (Rev. 12:11); and rescue us from a sinful life (1 Pet. 1:19). Thanks be to Jesus who gave Himself as the "spotless lamb" (Jn. 1:29). Only because of Christ's redemption can we be "born again."

Our Redeemer

The second thing involved with being "born again" in this context is our Redeemer. Peter writes about Christ, "Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God" (1 Pet. 1:20-21). Specific truths about our Redeemer are here given. First, He was planned from eternity. "Foreordained [foreknown, NAS]" simply means to know something before it happens (Acts 26:5; Rom. 8:29; 11:12; 2 Pet. 3:17). Christ's work was no afterthought, no plan B audible. Rather, God knew exactly what Jesus would do as Redeemer before He even created the world. The phrase "before the foundation of the world" is found again twice (Jn. 17:24; Eph. 1:4), and the related "since/from the foundation of the world" appears several times (Mt. 25:34; Lk. 11:50; Heb. 4:3; 9:26; Rev. 13:8; 17:8).

Second, the Redeemer made known God's eternal plan by His incarnation. He "was manifest in these last times for you" (1 Pet. 1:20b). Jesus was really in the flesh upon this earth. As "the Word," He existed eternally as God (Jn. 1:1-3), then "the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us" (Jn. 1:14). At His birth, Jesus was called "Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us" (Mt. 1:23). The apostle John later said of Jesus: "For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us" (1 Jn. 1:2). Jesus, our Redeemer, was (and is) real! Because of Him, we can trust and hope in God (1 Pet. 1:21).

Our Rebirth

The third thing involved with being "born again" in this context is our rebirth. Peter writes, "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (1 Pet. 1:22-23). Note here the emphasis concerning rebirth and purity. First, being "born again" is how our souls are purified (1 Pet. 1:22a). "Purified" denotes spiritual cleansing (cf. Jas. 4:8; 1 Jn. 3:3). "Obeying the truth" is very important. Earlier, Peter said we are to obey Jesus (1 Pet. 1:2), and we are to obey the word (1 Pet. 2:8). Thus, obeying the truth is equivalent to obeying Jesus, which is equivalent to obeying the word! Being sanctified by the Spirit and obeying the truth go hand in hand (2 Thes. 2:10, 12-13 cf. Jn. 15:3; 1 Cor. 4:15). Truth is the basis for purification of the heart and purification is the result of obedience to the truth. "Unto unfeigned [sincere, NKJ] love of the brethren" shows that purity of the soul leads to love of the brethren (cf. Rom. 12:10; 1 Thes. 4:9; Heb. 13:1; 2 Pet. 1:7).

Second, our pure souls demand that we love one another. The "love" we are to have for one another is agape love, which is the kind of love that always seeks the highest good for its object (cf. Mt. 5:44; 22:37-40; 1 Cor. 13:4-7). We are to love one another "earnestly [fervently, NKJ]," which means wholeheartedly. Love must come from the inward person. It must not be pretended, or just words, but action (1 Jn. 3:18). Third, we are "born again," thus made pure, by the "incorruptible seed," which is the word of God (cf. Lk. 8:11). This "being born again" results in a "lively hope" (1 Pet. 1:3), places us in the "kingdom of God" (Jn. 3:3, 5), and makes us "a kind of firstfruits of his creatures" (Jas. 1:18).

Being "born again" involves our redemption, our Redeemer, and our rebirth. These three elements are inseparable, and without them salvation would be impossible. Have we obeyed the truth? Do we truly love one another? If so, then we are "born again," but if not, we are lost. Which is it with us?