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.
It is good to have a faithful friend, someone who you know loves you and cares about you. A person who believes in what God is doing in your life. A person who knows your strengths and weaknesses, and still loves you. Not a “yes man”, but a person who knows they are loved by you and will tell when they disagree with you. Someone who can know that you all too often fail, and sometimes in a big way, but still is with you. We need people who do not walk away from us. Someone who loves us deeply and nothing that we say or do will change that because they have decided to love us, and so they do, through thick and thin, “a faithful brother.” Blessed are you if you have such a person, or persons, in your life. This is invaluable. Still we have one who is closer than a brother, the Lord Himself (Proverbs 18:24b). Praise the Lord!
If we love each other we will encourage and strengthen one another (Acts 15:32). We want to “be there” for each other. This is a natural flow from love. We want to make sure that the ones we love know they are loved and cared for.
I remember someone being accused of wanting to be “Mr. Big Shot.” It happened many years ago when the person was still a young. It was because the person would want to buy things to bless people. So it was assumed of the person that it was important to that person for people look up to that person. The reason for that person wanting to buy gifts, or to “be there”, or to help as that person could, was not to build up an inflated ego. It was merely a flow from the person’s heart. That person just always felt bad if people that person love and care about do not have all the same blessings that that person has. If that person is blessed, then that person wants to bless. Now, that person has never been a “patsy.” That person just wants to be a blessing to those whom God has called that person to love. It burns within that person. Besides, that person would rather over give than withhold blessings from those that person is able to give them to (Proverbs 3:27). That person understands that all answer to God. May God direct that person’s path. May that person always have an ear to hear His directions and eyes to see where He leads. That person prays to have the heart of God to love and care for others, just as God has loved and cared for that person. As for me, I am still way to selfish, but the Lord has not given up on me, He keeps moving me along. Thank you Lord!
Family, as brothers and sisters in the Lord, we love and encourage each other in what we know is true, steadfast and eternal, the grace of God. It is from He who is the Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:45-46). Family, we must stand fast, we must be strong, in the confidence and faith of God who is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). He created the grace we have, He gave it to us, He sustains us in it, and He brings us along till we arrive home (2 Timothy 1:12). What a great and true God we serve! Praise, gratitude and unending and indefatigable love to our God! Praise God!
“Greet one another with a kiss of love.” Such was their custom. But they did not do this merely because of “custom.” They did it out of genuine love for each other. Let us, however we are led, greet each other with enthusiasm and a welcoming love for each other. Not because we should, but because it flows from a heart of fellowship in Christ. May love overflow and may we strive to openly demonstrate it to all who are our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are borne from His love, may His love flow to each other from each other that the world may see that we are His.
Having the loving and safe fellowship that we have with God, and also each other, then the peace, which surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7), will be in our souls and spirits. May it be so with all of us. Family, may it be so with you! Praise our God who pours forth riches we are unable to contain! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God.