Stand Fast in Grace

DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER OF PETER

STAND FAST IN GRACE

1 Peter 5:12-14

12 With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. 13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

NIV

It certainly looks Silas had something to do with this letter. Was he simply a scribe or did he contribute to the content? Perhaps he was a resident of the same group Peter was writing to. However, in all reality we do not know much about Silas other then there was a Silas that accompanied Paul as well, but still we do not know if he is the same person. What we know is that Peter is giving Silas some credit for this letter being written. He is also making sure the readers know that Silas was a faithful brother. This points to the humility of Peter, not making out something he is not. Yes, Peter was with Jesus. Peter walked on the water, he got out of the boat, living his faith. Peter was the one who declared in response to the question of Jesus as to who they think he is, He is the Son of the Living God, the Christ. But then Peter was also the one who so boldly said he would follow Jesus wherever, but then denied Jesus three times. Peter understands his human condition and does not think more highly of himself then he should. He is writing to these believers as a servant of the Lord, and giving credit to Silas is an expression of showing the grace of God. He is telling the readers in his letter that he is encouraging them and us that he is giving testimony to the true grace of God. This true act of graciousness toward them and for that matter toward us. We are saved simply by the grace of God, there is no other reason. God does not have to save us. He did not have to come to earth as a man, limiting himself within a body, that felt the pain and suffering of the crucifixion, for us. God could have wiped all mankind out, as he did in the time of the flood, except of course for those eight in the ark. He could have started all over and made a perfect man in a place where no temptation was available. God could have had any way he desires, and he did. We are living proof that this is exactly how God desired his creation to be. In his graciousness, he gave his creation, man, the free choice to serve him and live or walk his own path to destruction. That is grace to the fullest. God is not the puppet master pulling every sting of our lives so we have no choice in the manner in which we live. His grace, his divine graciousness allows us to make our own choice. True, once we decide to follow Jesus, follow His ways, God comes to us to guide our path, to be a light onto our feet. His grace provides a way for us to find our way, and yet we still have to make that stand, we have to stand firm, stand fast in the grace of God. Although God is all-powerful, he allows us the opportunity to stumble around, or stand fast, because he personifies grace. Both the grace of this act of graciousness he did for us and this grace of his divine influence upon our heart. He is grace, let us stand fast in the grace of God.