Read 1 Peter 5:12–14
Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ. 1 Peter 5:14

Peter closed this epistle with a benediction of peace. He opened the letter with a greeting of peace (1 Peter 1:1–2), so the entire epistle points to God’s peace from beginning to end. What a wonderful way to end a letter that announced the coming of a “fiery trial” (4:12 KJV)! Four times in the New Testament we find the admonition about “a holy kiss” (Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; and 1 Thess. 5:26). Peter called it “a kiss of love.” It was a standard form of greeting or farewell in that part of the world at that time, just as it is in many Latin countries today. Peter has given to us a precious letter that encourages us to hope in the Lord no matter how trying the times may be.

Down through the centuries, the church has experienced various “fiery trials,” yet Satan has not been able to destroy it. The church today is facing a “fiery trial,” and we must be prepared. But, whatever may come, Peter is still saying to each of us—be hopeful! The glory is soon to come!

Something to Ponder
Do you have a greeting that is equivalent to “a kiss of love”? If not, what sort of similar greeting could you create that has the same meaning?