1 Peter 5:12-14: Standing Firm in God’s Grace

1 Peter 5:12-14: Standing Firm in God’s Grace

We’ve been working our way passage by passage through the book of 1 Peter, and today the next passage we come to is 1 Peter 5:12-14. It says,

12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ. 

May God bless the reading of his Word.

Let’s pray: Father, what a privilege it is to open and study your word. We understand that these words come from your very mouth. They’re God-breathed and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. So help us, by your Holy Spirit, to be thoroughly equipped for each of those things and ultimately to come to a deeper knowledge, a deeper love, and a deeper relationship with you. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. Imagine that you had a son in the military who was being deployed to the Middle East, and you only had a few more moments with him before he departed. What would you say in those few moments? I’m sure you’d say whatever you wanted him to remember for the next 9 months, right? You wouldn’t waste those moments saying a bunch of meaningless things. Instead, you’d say something that was filled with significance—something that was from the depths of your heart and that you really wanted him to keep in mind during his deployment. 

Likewise, there’s a lot we can learn from the final remarks Peter makes in our main passage today of 1 Peter 5:12-14. In these final verses of the letter, it’s like Peter’s saying, “Listen, if you don’t remember anything else, remember this.” The things he writes in these verses are what he wants to be ringing in the ears of his readers as they put down the letter and go on with their lives. And Peter essentially tells them to stand firm in God’s grace. That’s the main idea of these verses. Christians must stand firm in God’s grace. 

Yet that’s often something that’s easier said than done, isn’t it? After all, there are so many pressures we often face in our lives that test our faith—as well as temptations that threaten to draw us away from God. These temptations include an inordinate desire to be wealthy, a desire to be accepted by someone or win their approval, a desire to fit in with society and enjoy a certain status, or maybe a desire to engage in a certain behavior or perhaps in a certain relationship that doesn’t honor God. There are so many things that tend to draw people away from God. 

And I’m sure most of us know people who have been drawn away. If you’ve been a Christian for any significant amount of time, you’ve probably known several people who at one time claimed to be Christians but who are now no longer walking with the Lord. Not too long ago, I was thinking about the other students who were in my youth group as a teenager. And as I thought through them one by one, I was troubled by how many of them now no longer seem to be walking with the Lord. Sadly enough, it might even be a majority of them. Not only that, as I think about the 14 people who originally covenanted together to start this church just 7 years ago, I’m even more troubled and grieved by the fact that 3 of those original 14 are no longer actively walking with the Lord either—despite our best efforts to minister to them. 

So, how can we as individuals make sure that doesn’t happen to us? In the words of Peter, how can we “stand firm”? Now, of course, the Bible teaches that—for those of us who have experienced genuine conversion—it’s ultimately God who sustains us spiritually and enables us to persevere in our faith all the way to heaven. But as we can clearly see in these final verses of 1 Peter, we have a role and responsibility in that as well.  

So, let’s walk through these verses and see what Peter says. In the first part of verse 12, he writes, “By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you….” This man, whom Peter calls “Silvanus,” is also—and more commonly—referred to in the New Testament as Silas and is perhaps best known for his close association with the Apostle Paul. And I love how Peter describes him in this verse. He calls Silvanus “a faithful brother.” Isn’t that a wonderful reputation to have? On the one hand, it’s not a flashy or showy or extraordinary thing for someone to say about you. Yet, at the same time, it’s one of the highest compliments we could ever receive. I mean, at the end of the day, shouldn’t our highest ambition be to be found “faithful” to God’s will and calling for our lives?

Then, after mentioning Silvanus, Peter describes the content of his letter. He writes, “By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God.” The grace of God refers to God’s undeserved favor toward sinners. And the logical question for us to ask about Peter’s statement here is, what exactly is Peter talking about when he says, “this is the true grace of God”? What does “this” refer to? 

And I believe the best answer is that it refers to everything Peter’s written in the letter. The entire letter is summed up as speaking about God’s grace. This includes, first and foremost, everything Peter’s written about Jesus. You’ll recall that Peter’s original readers were suffering significant persecution for their faith. So, Peter’s repeatedly reminded them that they’re not alone in their suffering—because Jesus himself also suffered even to the point of being crucified. And the reason Jesus allowed himself to be crucified, Peter says, was the pay for our sins. 1 Peter 3:18: “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God….”

In our natural condition, everyone in this world is guilty of sin and in a state of rebellion against God and is therefore thoroughly deserving of eternal punishment. However, the good news we call the gospel is that God was gracious to us. In an incredible demonstration of grace, God the Father sent Jesus his Son into this world in order to save us. Jesus did that by becoming a real flesh-and-blood human being, living a perfectly sinless life, and then, as Peter says here, suffering for our sins. That is, Jesus suffered the agony of death on the cross—“the righteous for the unrighteous,” Peter says—in order to atone for our sins and ultimately “bring us to God.” This happens relationally in this life and will ultimately be completed when we’re brought into the very presence of God in heaven. That’s the ultimate hope and the ultimate comfort for suffering Christians. 

Peter also makes it clear in numerous places in the letter that, in order for us to experience any of this, God requires that we turn away from our sinful rebellion—including all of our misguided attempts to get right with God through our own moral or religious efforts—and instead put our trust in Jesus alone as the only one who can provide the rescue we so desperately need. In essence, we’re saved by grace. 

So, the message of the gospel that pervades 1 Peter is, from beginning to end, a message of grace. God’s graciously provided a way for us to be saved, and it’s by grace—rather than by any kind of human merit—that we receive and experience that salvation. So, this is part of what Peter’s referring to in 1 Peter 5:12 when he says that he’s written about the grace of God. 

Yet, as we read through Peter’s letter, we see that there’s plenty of material not only about the gospel itself but also about how Peter’s readers should live—especially in the midst of the suffering they’re facing. However, even these practical instructions and exhortations found throughout the letter fall under the umbrella of grace—because it’s God’s grace that enables Christians to live this way. Apart from God’s grace, we wouldn’t even be able to take the first step toward an obedient life. Every part of our obedience is a manifestation of God’s grace. So, literally, the entire letter of 1 Peter is about the grace of God. We’re swimming in an ocean of grace. From the gospel itself to how we’re supposed to live out the gospel, it’s all summed up in grace. 

And let me just say that there’s nothing more radical or revolutionary than this concept of grace. It’s not at all the way we naturally think. We usually tend to think in terms of living in a certain way in order to earn God’s favor. We think that we have to be good enough in order for God to truly love us and accept us. It’s like we’re running on this hamster wheel of moral and religious accomplishment, trying desperately to be good enough for God and thereby earn his love and acceptance. It’s exhausting. Not only that, if we’re honest, I think most of us would have to admit that, no matter how “good” we manage to be, it still feels like we’re falling short. 

However, the concept of grace that pervades 1 Peter—and really the entire Bible—is the exact opposite of that kind of mentality. In reality, God loves us and accepts us not because of anything we do or because of how “good” we manage to be but rather because of Jesus and what Jesus has already done on our behalf. 

And as we receive that grace offered to us in the gospel, it changes us from the inside out. And we yearn to live lives of obedience to God not because we’re trying to earn anything but simply because we’re so grateful for the grace of God in saving us that we naturally desire to express our love and gratitude toward God through obedience. In other words, we don’t strive to obey God in order to earn his grace. Instead, we strive to obey him because we’ve already received his grace and are so grateful for it. So, hopefully you can see just how central grace is to every aspect of what we believe and of how we live. And that’s why Peter describes his entire letter as a letter that’s all about “the true grace of God.”

However, if you notice in verse 12, the verse doesn’t stop there. Peter not only says “[T]his is the true grace of God.” He also says, “Stand firm in it.” So, the truth of God’s grace is immediately followed up with an exhortation to “stand firm” in that grace. Do you see the delicate balance there? Grace is the core component of everything, and yet we have the responsibility of standing firm in that grace. 

The phrase “stand firm” reminds me of when you’re at the beach and you wade out into the ocean and have to brace yourself against the waves. Especially if a particularly big wave comes, you have to make sure your footing is secure and be very deliberate about standing firm so that the wave doesn’t knock you off your feet. Similarly, we have to do the same thing spiritually in the midst of the various trials and temptations that come our way. In order to avoid getting knocked off of our feet by those trials and temptations, we have to “stand firm” in God’s grace. 

And indeed, in a certain manner of speaking, our salvation depends on us doing that. Consider, for example, 1 Corinthians 15:1-2, where Paul writes, 1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. So, our salvation is conditional, isn’t it? We’re only saved “if” we hold fast to the word of the gospel. 

In addition, in Matthew 24:11-13, Jesus states, 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Only those who endure to the end will be saved. And there are many other verses in the New Testament that teach this very same thing. To put it in Peter’s words, we’re saved by the grace of God, but we have to “stand firm” in that grace. 

So, how, then, can we do that? Well, let’s look at the subsequent verses. In verse 13, Peter writes, “She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son.” This somewhat cryptic reference to “she who is at Babylon” refers to the church in Rome. Peter also passes on the greetings of Mark, whom he identifies as his “son.” This is the same Mark who had traveled with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey and who also wrote the gospel narrative that bears his name—The Gospel of Mark. And even though Mark isn’t the biological son of Peter, Peter calls him his “son” because the two men had grown so close in their relationship that Mark had become like a spiritual son to Peter. That’s how much Peter loved him. 

Then, in verse 14, Peter instructs his readers to “Greet one another with the kiss of love.” This was a common tradition in the early church and is also mentioned quite frequently by Paul in his letters. Now, for those of you single guys who might have romantic feelings toward any of the single ladies in the church, don’t get too excited. This kiss was strictly given from man to man and from woman to woman and never between the two genders. And it was simply a culturally accepted way of showing friendly affection back in ancient times—as it is in some cultures today. Obviously, those of us who are more used to American culture tend to appreciate a little more personal space and therefore might not be quite as comfortable with this particular method of expressing friendly affection. And that’s okay, because the principle here that we’re supposed to follow is simply to express warm and heartfelt affection toward one another in whatever ways are most culturally appropriate. That’s how we can apply these instructions to our church. 

And this idea of Christians displaying warm and heartfelt affection toward one another is actually one that I believe is immensely significant as we think about the overall thrust of these verses. It contributes significantly to what Peter’s seeking to communicate. 

Think about the big picture here. Peter tells his readers to “stand firm” in the grace of God. That’s his central exhortation in these closing verses. However, if you notice, he surrounds this exhortation with numerous references to relationships between Christians. He talks about Silvanus, who’s a faithful brother. He then mentions “she who is at Babylon”—the church of Rome—as well as Mark, whom he loves as a son. And he then instructs his readers to display warm and heartfelt affection toward one another in a culturally appropriate way. So, these verses are saturated with references to the close relationships Christians enjoy. 

And here’s what we learn from that: standing firm in God’s grace isn’t something we do alone but is rather something we do side-by-side with other Christians. You know, at the beginning, I asked the question of what we can do to keep ourselves from falling away from a close walk with God as so many others have done and how we can instead remain steadfast in our commitment to Jesus throughout our lives. Of course, as I said, it’s ultimately God who sustains us. But for our part, one of the most important things we can do is to develop meaningful relationships with other Christians. So, to state it concisely, the fact that Peter surrounds his exhortation to “stand firm” in God’s grace with references to meaningful relationships between Christians points to the fact that those relationships are a critical component of us standing firm. 

And that emphasis isn’t unique to this passage either. It’s plainly taught throughout the New Testament. One of the clearest examples is Hebrews 3:12-14, which says, 12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. 

So, apparently, there’s a danger among those who profess to be Christians that some will have an “an evil, unbelieving heart, leading [us] to fall away from the living God” and that we’ll be “hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” And we see in verse 14 that that’s a very serious thing, because our salvation is tied to us persevering in our faith all the way to heaven. So, what’s the solution then? What should we do to make sure we don’t “fall away” or become hardened by sin’s deceitfulness? Well, we’re clearly told in verse 13 to “exhort one another every day.” The answer to our tendency to wander and stumble in our walk with God is to develop close relationships with other Christians. That’s a critical component of us remaining faithful to the Lord. 

And even beyond that, these relationships are a critical component of our spiritual health and growth in general. So, with the time we have left, I’d like to explore exactly why that’s the case. In what specific ways do relationships with other Christians help us in our walk with God? There are seven I’ve identified. 

First, relationships spur us on to live for the Lord more passionately. When we’re around others who are passionately living for the Lord, it encourages us to passionately live for the Lord as well. That’s just the way God’s wired us. He’s designed us as social creatures who are drawn to imitate the attitudes and behaviors of those around us. So, when we’re around other Christians who passionately living for God, we’re naturally inspired by their example. 

I can recall numerous occasions when I’ve personally been inspired to be more devoted to prayer because of the devotion of those around me—as well as numerous occasions when I’ve been with another Christians as they’ve shared the gospel with someone and consequently been greatly encouraged to share the gospel more consistently myself. Hebrews 10:24 states, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works….” That’s the ministry Christians have to one another. We stir one another up and spur one another on to live for the Lord more passionately. 

Number two, relationships provide healthy accountability as we seek to follow God. You know, there’s a reason why spin classes and other group exercise classes are so popular. It’s because when you do something with a group of people, there’s a certain kind of accountability that’s built into that. The activity is something you want to do anyway, but you’re even more encouraged to do it when you’re doing it as a part of a group. If you don’t show up, people will probably notice and wonder where you are. Likewise, this same kind of accountability is built into our relationships with other Christians as well. And in can be very direct at times, such as when one Christian confronts another Christian about a significant sin they’ve observed in that person’s life. 

Then moving on to number three, relationships are a source of comfort and support during difficult times. What a blessing to have a loving community of Christians who can gather around you and pray for you and support you and just be there for you whenever you find yourself facing something difficult. Galatians 6:2 refers to it as “bear[ing] one another’s burdens,” and Romans 12:15 speaks of “weep[ing] with those who weep.” If you’re a part of a loving community of Christians, you’ll still go through difficult times, but you won’t have to go through those times alone. 

Fourth, relationships help us grow in our understanding of the Bible. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve gained greater insight into a biblical passage or a biblical doctrine by discussing it with other Christians. Other Christians have regularly helped me see things in the Bible that I just didn’t see on my own and appreciate things I hadn’t fully appreciated. And that’s the way God’s designed the church to function. It’s his design for us to help one another and teach one another and stimulate one another in our study of the Bible. 

Moving on, a fifth way relationships are helpful is that they give us wonderful models of spiritual maturity. As many of you have heard me say before, there are so many things in the Christian life that are more caught than taught. That is, we learn them best as we see them modeled by other Christians. Perhaps you’re wondering about what it looks like to be a godly husband or a godly wife or maybe a godly father or a godly mother. Or maybe you want to be a greater influence for God in your career or would like to grow in your ability to use whatever spiritual gift God’s given you in the church. What better way to grow in all of these areas than by seeing these kinds of things lived out and modeled by Christians who are more mature in the faith than you are?

Along those same lines, a sixth way relationships are helpful is that they give us access to immense spiritual wisdom. Proverbs 11:14 speaks of the blessing to be found and the wisdom to be gained by having “a multitude of counselors.” You know, YouTube can be helpful for a lot of things. For example, any time you want to know how to do a minor car repair or fix something basic around your house, YouTube’s great. But if you’re looking for advice about a meaningful life issue—maybe something related to singleness or dating a or marriage or parenting or your career or navigating a conflict—those aren’t really the kinds of things I recommend looking up on YouTube—or Google or Tiktok or anything else like that. Instead, that’s where relationships with spiritually mature Christians come in. Relationships give us access to immense spiritual wisdom. 

And finally, number seven, relationships provide spiritual refreshment when we begin to feel weary. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Paul tells us to “encourage one another and build one another up.” And that’s something all of us need from time to time. The fact is that we all sometimes go through seasons when we’re just “not feeling it” spiritually—seasons of spiritual dryness and weariness. What a blessing and at times even a necessity it is to have Christian brothers and sisters whom God uses to bring refreshment to our souls. 

There’s one example of this in particular that sticks out in my own life. It was the summer after my first year of college, and I was serving as a counselor at a Christian summer camp called Snowbird. And I went into this summer camp with a very individualistic mentality. Even though I attended church because I knew Christians are supposed to do that, I didn’t really think I needed the church to move forward spiritually. I would spend a number of hours each day in personal prayer and Bible study and became kind of proud about that and had a mentality of thinking that I didn’t really need other Christians. And that’s the mentality I brought to Snowbird.  

However, God used that summer to break me down. If you think about how tired you are after a week’s vacation and then multiply that many times over, that’s how tired I was. Camp lasted for 12 weeks, with new church groups coming in every single week, and every day was high energy. I was also only able to get a very minimal amount of sleep each night. So, I felt exhaustion—true exhaustion—in a way that I had never felt it before. In fact, I felt so exhausted that I couldn’t even concentrate on my Bible reading any more. I had to literally walk down a trail in the woods as I read my Bible just to stay awake. 

And the leaders of the camp required us counselors to meet with each other in small groups of 3 or 4 every morning from 7-7:30am, and I thought these groups were such a waste of time. Like, why did I need to spend valuable morning time talking to these other guys—half the time not even talking about “spiritual” things—when I could be using that valuable time to pray and read the Bible on my own? It really annoyed me. 

But as the weeks progressed and I became increasingly exhausted and had more and more difficulty concentrating in my personal devotions, you know what God used to sustain me? Those very same small groups that at the beginning of the summer I had thought were a complete waste of time. That’s how God nourished me and sustained me the second half of the summer. And that’s how I learned how much I needed and could benefit from meaningful interactions with fellow Christians and how essential those relationships were. God had to break me down to teach that to me, but he made sure I understood it. 

So, as we’ve gone through these seven specific ways relationships help us in our walk with God, I hope you can really take these to heart. Not only that, I hope you can actually put all of this into practice by seeking to cultivate meaningful relationships with other Christians.