Daily Thought for Monday 18th May 2026
“… live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by human desires but by the will of God.”
1 Peter 4:2 (NRSV)
Stay true
John Greig
Today’s scripture passage is something of a detour on the path to Pentecost. Or you could call it a time-leap. A bit like pausing a DVD before the end of a film and watching the sequel.
Jesus’ first followers eagerly anticipated the second coming after his Asencion to heaven. They assumed it would be in their lifetime.
By the time this letter was sent out to the churches in Asia Minor this was proving erroneous. As it says in the text, some hearers of the Good News had died. Worse, some of these have been killed for their faith.
Peter says he writes “from Babylon”, both suggesting captivity and also comparing Rome of his time to the evil empire of the Old Testament.
Rather than Peter writing the letter, it may be more accurate to say he dictates it. The epistle credits someone called Silas for helping write it. Some think Silus compiled the work decades later, based on Peter’s teachings. This was perhaps during the reign of Domitian, an authoritarian emperor responsible for oppressing the Early Church.
Readers are urged, no matter how difficult it becomes, to stay true to the faith. They must shun the easy path of giving in to wordly ways, but instead live a life that is pleasing to God. Moreover, they are urged to stayed focused on the main goal of everlasting life in Jesus’ forthcoming Kingdom. Those who live by faith are assured that this world is the worst they will have to face, not the best it gets.
This is not ancient history; human rights monitors estimate that Christians face persecution that rates as serious or extreme in more than 50 nations worldwide.
Shall we pray?
Lord, save the suffering church, and deliver our Sisters and Brothers in Christ from persecution.
John Greig is session clerk of Tranent Parish Church.