Study Desk

Those who do not know God are surprised you do not join them in the sinful things they do. They laugh at you and say bad things against you.

For this reason, the Good News was preached to the dead. They stood in the flesh before the One Who judges so they might live in the Spirit as God wants.

God has given each of you a gift. Use it to help each other. This will show God's loving-favor.

If a man preaches, let him do it with God speaking through him. If a man helps others, let him do it with the strength God gives. So in all things God may be honored through Jesus Christ. Shining-greatness and power belong to Him forever. Let it be so.

If men speak bad of you because you are a Christian, you will be happy because the Spirit of shining-greatness and of God is in you.

But if a man suffers as a Christian, he should not be ashamed. He should thank God that he is a Christian.

The time has come for Christians to stand before God and He will judge. If this happens to us, what will happen to those who do not obey the Good News of God?

If it is hard for a man who is right with God to be saved, what will happen to the sinner?

So if God wants you to suffer, give yourself to Him. He will do what is right for you. He made you and He is faithful.

Be good shepherds of the flock God has put in your care. Do not care for the flock as if you were made to. Do not care for the flock for money, but do it because you want to.

In the same way, you younger men must obey the church leaders. Be gentle as you care for each other. God works against those who have pride. He gives His loving-favor to those who do not try to honor themselves.

So put away all pride from yourselves. You are standing under the powerful hand of God. At the right time He will lift you up.

After you have suffered for awhile, God Himself will make you perfect. He will keep you in the right way. He will give you strength. He is the God of all loving-favor and has called you through Christ Jesus to share His shining-greatness forever.

God has power over all things forever. Let it be so.

I have known Silvanus as a faithful Christian brother and it is by him I have written this short letter to help you. It tells you of the true loving-favor of God. Stay true in His loving-favor.

The church which is in the city of Babylon says hello. It has been chosen by God the same as you have been. My son, Mark, says hello also.

This letter is from Simon Peter. I am a missionary of Jesus Christ and a servant owned by Him. I am writing to those who have received the same faith as ours which is of great worth and which no amount of money can buy. This faith comes from our God and Jesus Christ, the One Who saves.

May you have more and more of His loving-favor and peace as you come to know God and our Lord Jesus Christ better.

As you have a better understanding, be able to say no when you need to. Do not give up. And as you wait and do not give up, live God-like.

As you live God-like, be kind to Christian brothers and love them.