Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable

22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,
25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you. – 1 Peter 1:22-25

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, – 1 Thessalonians 4:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. – Genesis 2:7

21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” – John 20:21-23

The first verse speaks of purity. We learn obedience through the things that we suffer. No child likes to be chastised but our loving Father will allow us to be afflicted if we are disobedient to ensure we draw close to Him. If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us fro all unrighteousness. We can walk in brotherly love (philadelphia) towards our brothers and sisters in Christ but the Lord will give us the selfless love of God (agape) love for one another for us to give earnestly from a pure heart. We have been born again by the eternal power of the Word of God through the Spirit of God and we are no longer of the seed of Adam. Adam was created from the dust of the ground, his home was on the dust of the ground which he tended to obtain food and at his death he returned to the dust of the ground. His seed, his children, were perishable and all his offspring died. Christ was born of the Spirit, lived by the Spirit and was resurrected to eternal glory by the Spirit of God. As God breathed life into Adam so Christ Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit into His Church. Peter quotes Isaiah (Isa 40:6) where The Lord is speaking to Israel, her iniquities have been forgiven, a way is being prepared for her, The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (Isa 40:5). Although all flesh is like grass it perishes and returns to the dust of the earth the Word of the Lord remains forever. We have been born again of that Word, the good news of the gospel, by the power of then Spirit and we will live together with the Lord forever.

If you want to know more about how to enter a relationship with God, how to be forgiven of your sins and how to become a Christian please take a look at the Gospel section above or get in touch with me through the contact me page.