Peter is an interesting character of the New Testament and of Christianity. He was one of Jesus' first disciples, who was with Jesus during his transfiguration on the mountain. He was decidedly outspoken to a fault, often speaking with much gusto and gaffe before thinking at all about what he was saying. Although he was a devout follower, one of the closest friends of Christ Jesus, he denied Jesus thrice the night of his trial. However, by the time of Pentecost, this man was transformed into a confident, articulate leader.
Peter became one of the most influential apostles and leaders of the early Church, yet only two books of the New Testament came from his pen. These books, 1 and 2 Peter, are a unified exhortation of perseverance and strength to the early Church and the Christians that comprised it. In reading 1st Peter, one theme that pops out is his emphasis on the fact that Christians have been given an imperishable seed.
The essence of Peter's point, captured in 1 Peter 1:3-4 and 1:23, is that believers have been reborn with an imperishable seed. Peter is referring to how the believer's very nature has been changed, transformed from the perishable seed of Adam to the imperishable seed of Christ. The theological depth of this statement is at the very least profound.
The Christian, because of their now imperishable nature, is no longer constrained by the finite, perishable, and corporeal trappings of the world, because the depths of their identity is no longer perishable. We have been reborn, regenerated in Christ. Therefore, we need to cry out in thankfulness and humble reverence at the wonderful grace that God has blessed us with!
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