1 Peter 1:23 - For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
Ephesians 4:15-16 - Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Hebrews 5:14 - But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Conclusions:
- The new birth comes about through the direct action of the Holy Spirit, but the word of God also plays an important role, for it presents the gospel to the sinner and calls on him to repent and believe in Christ
- In 1 Peter 1:23 the seed is doubtless the word of God, which is imperishable, living and enduring
- A truthful and loving manner of life is implied by speaking the truth in love
- Christ is the Head of the body, which is the church
- Paul speaks primarily of corporate maturity
- It is the body of Christ that is to be built up
- We are all to become mature
- The body grows under the direction of the Head
- The parts of the body help each other in the growing process, picturing the mutual ministries of God’s people
- Maturity and unity are impossible without love
- The mature are those who had progressed in spiritual life and had become Christians of sound judgment and discernment
- Distinguishing good from evil is something neither physical nor spiritual infants can do
Application:
- Have you repented and believed in Christ?
- Have you become mature?
- Do you grow and build others up in love?
- Do you have sound judgment and discernment?
Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible
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