Jesus warned Peter that Satan had asked for him so that he might sift him as wheat but that his Lord had prayed that his faith might not fail. After this battle, when he would be turned to his Lord again, he was to strengthen or establish his brethren in the faith (Luke 22:31ff). Peter was sifted and tried. He fell and denied his Lord. However, when he had again been restored (John 21) his dedication and en­thusiasm knew no bounds and he gave his whole life for the church of his Lord.

He is now coming to the close of his epistle. He has written these believers to strengthen them in the faith. Amid all the difficulties of the present time, they must keep the eye of faith directed to Jesus Christ. Peter still has a few things to say to them and among these are some of the most beautiful words of this epistle.

Humble Yourselves⤒🔗

From the foregoing it has become clear that there is no place for pride in an of­ficer in the church nor in the life of any believer. In all experiences they are, therefore, to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God. It is His hand which rules and guides all things — also the sufferings in their lives. They must receive these things as out of the hand of God! Nothing is beyond His control.

The readers may not understand the purpose in all these things, but let them adore the wisdom of God for He has His purposes. In due time, i.e., when He considers the time proper, He will exalt you. That time may be soon — it may also await the end of their lives. But, one thing is certain, He will exalt you!

Cast Anxiety on the Lord←⤒🔗

Peter now speaks words to them, difficult to put into practice, but so beautiful in content. The people of God have turned to these words again and again in the times of their greatest need. He tells his readers to cast all their anxieties on their Lord. These people, as well as many in later generations, have been filled with a spirit of anxiety and it kept hold on them. This is dangerous spiritually. The question, "Why?" then dominates the thoughts. They can find no reason for the things which are happening to them and they then begin to doubt. This is such a common pattern.

His people must realize that their Lord is the burden-bearer for His people. They must not store these burdens and anxieties in their own hearts and minds but must cast them on Him. That is the prop­er place for the anxieties of life, and when they cast them on Him they reveal that they are standing in the proper relation to Him! He cares for you! His people have to be reminded of this fact even though it is so clear from the whole gospel. Everyday life must come under the control of the gospel!

Be Sober and Watchful←⤒🔗

Being able to rid themselves of all the cares and anxieties of life should not lead the readers to a passive existence. They must be sober and on the watch. They are to be able to make clear judgments and decisions. They should be on the alert because their spiritual life and well-being is always threatened by hostile forces.

Your adversary, the devil, goes about like a roar­ing lion seeking whom he may devour. The devil is real. He is your opponent. He goes around like a wild animal seeking to destroy. He never seeks to protect or build up — not even his followers. He always has destruction in mind. Is there a lamb strayed from the fold, unprotected, whom he may devour? Is there one so filled with doubt that he becomes an easy prey for the devil? Let them be sober and watchful. The dangers are many and they are great. Peter speaks from experience! Let no one imagine that he is safe from the attacks of the devil, but let His people remember that their Lord has prayed for them that their faith may not fail. He cares for them!

Resist the Evil←⤒🔗

The readers are called to resist the evil one. How can they do this seeing that their adversary is so much stronger than they? Is it not an uneven match in which they will be the losers? They must be steadfast and firm in their faith. This is their only weapon but it is also suffi­cient. Christ prayed that Peter's faith would not fail. If that faith remained, he would stand. This faith must be rooted and grounded in the Word of God and made part and parcel of one's life.

Trust God in All Suffering←⤒🔗

The particular danger for these believers lay in the attitude they adopted to their present sufferings. The writer reminds them that they are not the only ones who are suffering for the sake of their faith; no, this is true of all their brethren throughout the world. It is a part of the life of the Christian.

The sufferings which they now endure are limited to a short period of time. God has His own purpose with these experiences. Suffering will not alienate you permanently from your God. But you must be on the alert that you will not even be temporarily estranged from Him. He will use these sufferings to bring you closer to Him. They will refine your spiritual life. The dross will be removed. Although the present experience may seem to be grievous, God's purpose is being fulfilled. They may ask with the Psalmist: Has God forgotten to be kind?, but He remains the God of all grace. He showers His bless­ings upon them. He has called them to His eternal glory in Christ. No one shall thwart that purpose. He will realize His goal.

They will be kept in the midst of all dangers. The devil is seeking whom he may devour, but he will not devour the people of God! As the God of all grace, He will restore them, establish them, and strengthen them. This verse is quoted in the Form for the Public Profession of faith, and rightly so. It is so characteristic of the experience of all God's peo­ple. Most likely they will not go through this life without suffering, but their God remains faithful. He will perfect what He has begun!

The end of the epistle proper has been reached. To the God of Whom he has spoken be the dominion forever. He rules. He rules over all that exists. He rules over all the happenings in the lives of men. He rules the spiritual life which He Himself has given to His people. Leave it all in His hands! There all things are safe. He, of course, will never give His rule to another, but His people must recognize this rule and find their full satisfaction in it.

In conclusion Peter adds a few significant com­ments to the body of this epistle. He has written to them by Silvanus, or Silas as he is called in the book of Acts. This was the man who accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey when he parted from Barnabas. Although Paul had been imprisoned, Silas can still be active in the work of the church of Jesus Christ. Silas had indeed been a great help to Paul in his work as a missionary. Peter also calls him a faithful brother. He has not been only a secretary for Peter but he is sending this epistle by his hand to the churches of Asia Minor, with whom he is well ac­quainted. No doubt, Silas could be a great help to these churches as they received this epistle by ex­plaining more fully that which is contained in this writing. Peter says that he has written briefly to them. Are there any questions, you can ask Silas for I have full confidence in him.

Stand Fast in God's Grace←⤒🔗

Peter has declared the true grace of God in this epistle. He has declared the full gospel of Jesus Christ and has shown them the true grace of God in reference to specific situa­tions. That grace of God is sufficient in every need. Regardless of circumstances, the appeal is to the same grace of God. He who rejoices in salvation adores that grace of God. He who is troubled looks to the same grace of God. This he has made clear throughout this brief epistle.

Having gloried in the grace of God, Peter exhorts the readers to stand fast in it. This is the infirmity of believers, not that God's grace is insufficient, but that they do not lay hold of it and stand fast in it. His grace has been revealed clearly in the revelation of Jesus Christ. His Spirit has made this grace the property of all those who have come to the faith. Now they are called to stand fast in it. Their lives must be rooted in the grace of God. Then, and then only, will they be able to see all the experiences of life in the proper perspective. Their duties, as spoken of in this epistle, are not revealed as the ad­vice of Peter, but are declared by the Spirit of the living God.

Show True Affection for Each Other←⤒🔗

Greetings are also sent to the churches of Asia Minor, as is customary in most epistles, but it is done in a strange manner. She who is in Babylon sends her greetings, Peter says. Did he labor in the city of Babylon? Was there a church in that ancient and im­portant city? Nothing is recorded in the New Testa­ment concerning the work of any of the Apostles in this city. Nor do we ever read of a church which had been established there. Most likely the Apostle is here referring to the city of Rome. Rome is also called Babylon in Revelation 17. Peter was writing from the city of Rome and now sends the greetings of the Roman Christians, likewise chosen, to churches of Asia Minor.

Not only does he send the greetings of the church, he also sends the greetings of an individual, Mark. Mark, writer of the second gospel, accompanied Paul on the first part of the first missionary journey. However, Mark's dependability left something to be desired and Paul refused to take him along on the second journey. Later Paul and Mark were recon­ciled and he again speaks highly of him. Now Peter refers to him as his son. He was well-known to the people of Asia Minor and they would be happy to receive his greeting.

"Greet one another with the kiss of love." Paul speaks of a "holy kiss" and both authors seem to mean the same thing. In this eastern world the peo­ple were more demonstrative than we are in the western world. They are to show true affection the one to the other as members of the body of Christ.

The benediction is brief. Peace to all that are in Christ. It is a peace which is far richer than the world knows. It is peace of heart and mind because there is peace with God!

Questions for Discussion:←⤒🔗

1. How can a person humble himself? Explain.

2. God tells us to cast all our cares on Him. Can we do this, and, if so, how can this be done?

3. That the devil goes around like a roaring lion is not so difficult for us to grasp. How does this agree with Revelation 20:2, or doesn't it?

4. If true faith is able to resist the devil, what does this tell you about the nature of this faith?

5. Do we usually have this estimate of our faith? 

6. What has the study of this epistle taught you?