The end of the different New Testament letters are usually overlooked. "By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you..." 1 Peter ends.
We don't pay attention to that usually. We don't realize that Silvanus was a courier chosen by Peter to take his letter to different churches and to read this letter in the way Peter wanted it read.
The ending goes on to say "exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it."
Our pastor talked about ways that we can stand firm amidst life and whatever it throws at us. Stand firm in the knowledge that God cares for us. Stand firm by knowing who the enemy is and how to fight him. We resist Satan by believing the truth of God's Word and knowing that Jesus died on the cross for our sins.
Stand firm in it.
That just sounds like a normal encouragement. But that was Peter telling these people to stand firm in the grace of God. When someone who has suffered for God says it is worth it and tells you to also stand firm, it means more. It's not a worthless statement. It is strong.
He could see the future. It is worth to stand firm because of where we will end up. Heaven is worth this bit of suffering in this life.
It's a little statement at the end of a chapter and a book, but "stand firm in it" is more important than you might think. Don't overlook those little parts of the Bible---everything is in there for a reason.
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