One of the most important ways that Christians are called to live as God's holy people is in our dealings with one another. If we can't live by the love of God within the fellowship, how can we ever hope to do so with those on the outside?

Peter tells his readers that they have been purified from worldly attitudes about others. Having experienced the love of Christ, they have no excuse for treating fellow Christians in a worldly manner. Their salvation has enabled them to have a sincere brotherly love for each other. The Greek word for this is philadelphia. This brotherly phileo love is good; but Peter urges them to take it further to agape, or self-giving love, a love that is concerned about what is best for the other person.

Peter reminds them that they have been born again. This new life in them comes from no corruptible source but from the imperishable, living, and enduring word of God. He quotes from Isaiah 40:6-8 to emphasize the point that the word of the Lord stands forever.

Since Christians have been born again by the incorruptible seed, they should have incorruptible relationships. They are to rid themselves of worldliness in their relationships: no more malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, or slander; no exceptions, no excuses. Instead, they are to grow up by feeding on the pure spiritual milk of the gospel. A nursing infant will have nothing else when he or she wants his milk. In the same way, Christians should want nothing else than the nourishment of the word so that they can grow spiritually. The Lord's goodness is something that believers have experienced (or "tasted," using the wording of Psalm 34:8 to play on the milk imagery). Since we have tasted his goodness, we should rid ourselves of the badness that characterizes life in the world.

Christians must demonstrate the transformed life in how they treat each other. Otherwise, the claim of being made new rings hollow. Even in difficult times--indeed, especially during difficult times--Christians should demonstrate a born-again love for one another.