“Peace to all of you who are in Christ.” – 1 Peter 5:14
Scripture reading: 1 Peter 5:14 and Romans 5:6-11
Peter ends his letter similar to the way he started it, giving a blessing of peace, not first of all between humans, but peace with God. It can only come from God through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Paul said that while we were enemies of God, He sent His beloved Son so that through Him we could be reconciled to God and have peace with Him (Romans 5:6-11). This is why Peter says, “Peace to all who are in Christ.” One who does not have a living relationship with Christ, does not have peace with God. Peter wrote to those scattered because of their faith in Jesus, those called to be a people of God. Even though Christ’s people can go through all sorts of trials and hardships, they are to trust they have an enduring peace with God.
Having this enduring peace with God will also cause you to greet your fellow brothers and sisters who are in Christ in a special way. As brothers and sisters in Christ we can have different cultures, languages and pet-peeves. But if we are at peace with God because we are in Christ, together we are a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of His own possession. Only in truly believing this can we address fellow believers in Jesus Christ as beloved brothers and sisters. Greeting each other with a holy kiss, means treating each other in a special way as beloved brothers and sisters of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Suggestion for prayer
That as those who have peace with God because we are in Jesus Christ, we treat all those who confess Christ as Lord and Saviour as beloved brothers and sisters.
Pastor Richard Bultje is a missionary and pastor of the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls Ontario. It is a church plant under the oversight of the Wellandport United Reformed Church. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children, Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.
