Stand Firm in the Grace of God

Posted on March 11, 2026 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 5:12

12 Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!

Silvanus was also named Silus, who was a prophet and a leader among the brethren (Acts 15:22, 32); who also traveled with Paul and was a Roman citizen as Paul was (Acts 16:37). He was apparently the scribe for this letter and possibly the one who delivered it to the intended recipients. I can imagine the trouble he had, since they were scattered all over Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (1 Pt. 1:1). Peter wanted them to know that his words were inspired by God and were His words of grace (His love to them); therefore, they should believe all of it and stand firm in it.

He Will Perfect, Confirm and Strengthen You

Posted on March 10, 2026 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 5:10-11

10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 11 To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

The suffering Peter speaks of here is from the devil. It is that which will cause us pain and agony of the body, the mind, and the spirit; it will be the pain of anxiety, depression, grief, regret, loss or injury—or anything that the devil dreams up. But God will use all our suffering for good. We can be assured by His promise that after “a little while” He will begin to use oursuffering to strengthen us—to strengthen our faith. Hence, when we feel down and in some kind of pain, we must hold on and believe that very soon He will deliver us and strengthen us. For all power is His, and since we are in Him He will pass it on to us.

Be On the Alert for Your Adversary

Posted on March 9, 2026 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 5:8-9

8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.

To be of sober spirit and alert means to be steadfast and self-controlled. This will come when we cast all our anxiety on Him. And this is quite necessary since the devil is always wanting to devour us (destroy us); and he will seek those that are most vulnerable—those weak minded and anxious. Hence, we are to be firm in our faith, always resisting the devil and committing ourselves to God. We must at the same time be mindful of other believers who are being attacked by the devil just as we are. We should be always praying for them, that they would be strong in the Lord.

Let All be Humble

Posted on March 3, 2026 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 5:6-7

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

God’s grace which He gives to the humble (v. 5) will be in the form of exaltation—and it will be given at the proper time, just when we need it. And (from verse seven) that casting of our anxiety on Him is part of the process of humility; and we should do it with the knowledge that He cares for us; and so, He will strengthen us in the entire process of humbling ourselves.

To the Younger Men

Posted on March 2, 2026 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 5:5

5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.

Here Peter begins to address those who are not elders. I am not sure if he is saying that only older men can be elders. But I suppose that is mostly true. Certainly, a teen would not be an elder, but one in his twenties or thirties may—if he has godly qualities. Nonetheless, they all are to be subject (under and submissive to) their elders. And all, even elders, are to be humble toward each other, for “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” This is a statement that we ought always to remember. Those who slip into pride I’m sure lose their memory of this pronouncement.

When the Chief Shepherd Comes

Posted on February 26, 2026 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 5:4

4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

The Chief Shepherd, of course, is Jesus Christ. When He comes to rapture them up to heaven they will receive the reward of glory, which is all the things that characterize their eternal life: righteousness and joy, etc. All believers will receive this crown of glory, but perhaps it will shine brighter for those who were good shepherds (vs. 2-3).

Those who Shepherd the Flock

Posted on February 25, 2026 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 5:1-3

5 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.

Peter begins here to address the elders (of the churches). He tells them that he too is an elder, and that he has witnessed Christ’s sufferings and will share His glory when He returns. Then Peter goes on to instruct them to be good shepherds to their flock (their people). He gives them three ways of good shepherding: 1) to watch over them willingly, according to the way God would be pleased; 2) to shepherd them eagerly and not for any selfish-motive; and 3) to not lord it over them, but lead them by a good example.

The Suffering of a Christian

Posted on February 24, 2026 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 4:19

19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

The Christian, in his suffering, either by persecutors or by God’s just judgment, should always continue to do what is right, trusting God for their eternal soul.

Gods Judgment on the Saved First

Posted on February 23, 2026 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 4: 17-18

17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?

The Christian is certainly judged for all that he does through suffering to make him stronger and pure, but God will not bring condemnation on him; for there is no condemnation on those in Christ (Rom. 8:1). But to those who do not obey the gospel, the “wrath of God abides on him” (Jn. 3:36).

As for verse 18, that the righteous are saved with difficulty, I think this is referring to all of the Christian’s efforts that will never be good enough. Yet he will be saved only by the grace of God through the righteousness of Christ.

Going on in verse 18, if none of the believer’s works are good enough, the godless man will most certainly not be saved; for if he does not believe in Christ, His grace and His blood will not cover his sins.

Be not Ashamed to Suffer for Christ

Posted on February 19, 2026 by Stephen Nielsen

1 Peter 4:15-16

15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.

Peter mentions previously suffering for sins (2:20 and 3:17); and for that we should feel ashamed. But if we suffer as a Christian (by persecution) we should never feel ashamed; rather, we should rejoice, and praise God because of the privilege of suffering with Christ. Also, as Jesus said (in Matthew 5:11-12), we should be glad for the reward we will receive in heaven.