Read: 1 Peter 5:12-14

Peter has a few ps's. We could skip it. But if we had, we would miss that Peter is not asking his readers to do something he is not doing himself. He lives in a counter-cultural community.

First, he mentions Silas as a "faithful brother", who has helped with the letter. Then he mentions the "she" which is the church in Rome. He compares the Church living under Roman occupation, to the Jewish people living under Babylonian rule.

And then he mentions Mark - the Mark who penned the Gospel of Mark, who likely drew from all of Peter's anecdotes and experiences for his Gospel.

And Peter tells us the purpose of his letter - to encourage his readers, and testify to the fact that this is the authentic teaching from Jesus.

This is also the purpose of the counter-cultural community - to encourage and testify to the authenticity of the Gospel, not just by talking about it, but by how they live with God and each other.

Write
Think about your faith story: who are the closest four people to you who are your counter-cultural faith community?

In what ways your relationships with these four people testify to the authenticity of grace and the Gospel? In what ways your relationships do not testify to grace?

With whom do you struggle to live counter-cultural love?

What's one thing Peter has written about which God is challenging you to live out?

Pray
What is God saying to you today?

Talk to God about the people with whom you live out the Gospel with. Pray for them and the state of your relationships.

Talk to God about what you do well in testifying to the authenticity of grace. Talk to God about the behaviours and things that do not reflect the Gospel.

Tell God about the things in 1 Peter that has challenged you. Ask for wisdom and the resources to live these things in your life.

Pray for the relationships that need a touch of grace. Ask the Spirit for his help in transforming this relationship.

Pray for an experience of God's love, grace and mercy as you encounter him in your counter-cultural community, and as others are drawn to God through your relationships.