Faithful people, exhortation, and the true grace of God.

1st Peter 5:12 By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.

1st Peter 5:13 She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son.

1st Peter 5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Silvanus, or Silas, helped Peter to write his letter. Peter dictated the letter, and Silvanus wrote it down for him, and also apparently delivered the letter to the readers. 

Peter says that Silvanus was "our faithful brother" He belonged to the entire body of Christ, and was known by others as a dependable, trustworthy, reliable, the kind of person you could trust. What a blessing he was to Peter, and to others. You could trust him, he would do what he said he would do. 

This letter was an exhortation, or an encouragement. An exhortation, is a call or a request, an expression of desire, a beseeching of another person. 

So, when you read the letter, the things in it, are the things that God is calling you to believe, and to do. 

It is also a letter that explains the true grace of God. God's grace is true, and there are often attempts to distort it, and twist it around. But, this letter says it the way the Lord intended it to be said. Grace is never an excuse for sin, but rather an answer to sin, and a loving and powerful way for lives to change and bring glory to God, and to show and share His love. 

A final thought here about Mark. He is an example of someone who had at one time failed in his duty, but, was now being used by God. So, his life says to anyone who has also failed, that it's entirely possible to be placed back into useful and effective service for Christ. 

Love and peace are mentioned here at the end. Only God's love can truly bring peace. Man can try all he wants to to make peace and find it etc, etc. but, only the Lord can make peace for man, and then make peace between men. 

Amen........

Pastor Bob Grenier.