Staying the Course

1 Peter 5:8-14
V. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
To be sober is to govern the inner and outer man with temperance, and modesty being self-controlled. In Galatians 5:23 Paul states that the fruit of the Holy Spirit is gentleness and self-control. Strong’s defines gentleness as a disposition that is even-tempered, tranquil, balanced in spirit, unpretentious, and that has the passions under control. The person who possesses this quality pardons injuries, corrects faults, and rules his own spirit well.
God teaches us life lessons that we may recognize our faults and learn to govern our passions. Just last night, being annoyed with every little thing, and thinking I had made it through the night in control of an explosion of anger that lay just below the surface, a heard a comment directed in general, but I took as a personal attack. I blew up, and upon blowing up I hurt the witness, that I try so hard to protect. I should have turned to the Holy Spirit and sought help as this agitation began to build, but I let it fester under the surface until it became a sore and exploded in a fit of rage. I thought I could control the outer man without allowing the Holy Spirit to help me control the inner man, giving a foothold for Satan to destroy my witness. Guilt comes with our failures and the need to try and make the situation right takes over our thinking. I apologized to the guy for the explosion, and hope to continue to mend this relationship as time goes by.
To be vigilant is to be alert to this constant threat of attack from Satan. He is unwearied and restless in his malicious endeavors, for always, night and day, goes about studying us and contriving how he may ensnare us. We are not alone in our endeavors to be watchful of attack from our enemies, for God is with us and is there to fight the battles we can see and those we cannot see. He is beside us on the wall as we stand watch and recognize the impending attacks from our adversaries. We are no match for Satan, but there is one who lives within you who is more than able and has overcome such attacks.
Part of being vigilant is being sure of whom we are in Christ Jesus, being sure of our salvation. Some of the most common attacks make us doubt our salvation, and yet others make us question our need for a savior at all. We are to have a confidence that we are a part of the family of God through the blood of Christ, but show humility knowing that our salvation is not within ourselves, but based upon what Jesus did on the cross.
Being vigilant is also not being careless with our lives, and of those we love, learn to recognize danger and prepare yourselves for it. An active prayer live is key to our protection from danger, enlisting the help of the Father in recognizing and listening to the urging of others and the Holy Spirit, as well as the wisdom found in the Bible will put us well on the road to guarding our homes, families, and our witness.
v. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by the brotherhood in the world.
Peter has written about how to react to the trials that these people were going through as we read it we are encouraged that we are not alone in our endeavors to remain faithful to God, now Peter is revealed to them who the enemy really is. As they see their neighbors turn against them, they must realize that they are being set upon by the father of all lies, and that he is bent on their destruction. Our war is not against people, but yet Satan raises bitter persecutions and sets rulers of this world against us.
James echoes what Peter is saying about humility, and offers advice to defeat the devil in James 4:7; Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” By submitting to God we are releasing control unto Him, and bringing the full arsenal of His aid to our side. By resisting the devil and remaining steadfast in our faith, clinging to the promises of God for His people, we are building a front that Satan cannot defeat. We need to recognize the attacks of the devil and flee from temptation. I know that there are times when temptation comes upon me for things that God has delivered me from that I need to recognize and put under the authority of Christ.
Paul adds this advice in Ephesians 6:10-13; Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
The first part of warfare is to recognize our enemy, knowing that the devil uses people as his pawns in the battle for our souls. Second we need to take stock of our weapons, knowing that we have the power and might of God on our side. Paul goes on to list them in verses 14-18, they are; truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, our salvation, the word of God, the Holy Spirit, and prayer. This is a mighty armament to which the devil cannot stand, but we can, standing secure in whom we are in the Lord.
Also we must realize that we are not in this alone, but enlist the aid of the saints that suffer under the weight of persecution and temptation as we do. We have a cloud of witnesses that have gone on before us that leave their lives as a testimony to the ability of God to deliver us through any affliction.
Vs. 10,11 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Peter begins a prayer, which he addresses to God as the God of all grace. He is the author and finisher of every heavenly gift and quality, acknowledging, on their behalf, that God had already called them to be partakers of that eternal glory, which, being His own, He has promised and settled upon them, through the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ.
Notice what he prays for in their behalf; not that they might be delivered from sufferings, but that their sufferings might short. He also prays that after they had suffered a while, that God would restore them to a settled peaceable condition, and perfect His work in them-that he would establish them against wavering, either in faith or duty, that He would strengthen those who were weak, and settle them upon Jesus the foundation, so firmly that their union with Him might be everlasting. We must realize that all grace comes from God it is He who restrains, converts, comforts, and saves men by His grace. We that are called into a state of grace are also called to partake of eternal glory and happiness, also that we are called to be heirs of eternal life through Jesus Christ. We must, nevertheless, suffer in this world, but our suffering will be for a little while. I know that in times I thought I would never make through what was coming upon me that the Spirit of God was there to encourage me with the words, this too will pass. The perfecting, establishing, strengthening, and settling, of good people in grace, and their perseverance therein, is so difficult a work, that only the God of all grace can accomplish it, and is to sought by continual prayer, and the dependence upon His promises. Once we realize that we have received grace from the God of all grace, we are to ascribe to Him all power, glory, and dominion to Him for ever and ever.
Vs. 12-14 By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand. She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you, and so does Mark my son. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen
He recaps why he is writing this letter to them by way of Silvanus, a brother who he esteemed faithful. He testifies, and in the strongest terms to assure them, that the doctrine of salvation, which he had explained and they had embraced, was the true account of the grace of God, foretold by the prophets and published by Jesus Christ. Also he wanted to exhort them that, as they had embraced the gospel, they were to remain steadfast in it.
Peter, being in Babylon as he wrote this letter, extends the greeting of the church there that they may know that they are being lifted up by them. It is encouraging to know that others are lifting us up in our trials, and it is more encouraging that members of different churches, who share the same salvation as we, would consider our plights, not as a reason to gossip, but are genuine in their love for us. Churches should have an affectionate concern for one another; they should love and pray for one another, and be as helpful to each other as they possibly can. Peter exhorts them to express fervent love and charity towards each other, and express this with a kiss of peace which was the custom of this time. He ends this letter by offer them peace and adds his Amen, in token of his earnest desire and expectation that the blessing of peace would be the portion of all the faithful.

Being Humble Before Man and God

1 Peter 5:5-14 Part One
V. 5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resist the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” (Ps. 33:12)
Having given instruction to the spiritual leaders of the church Peter now turns his attention to the flock instructing them on how to behave towards their ministers and to one another. He calls them younger as generally being younger than their pastors, though this is not always the case. Peter wants them to remember that those appointed because of the recognition of their God given gifts are to be respected. He wants to put them in mind of their inferiority, as the term younger is used by our Lord to signify an inferior in Luke 22:26. “But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be the younger, and he who governs as he who serves.” We are to submit ourselves to the elder, to give due respect and reverence to their persons, and to yield to their admonitions, reproof, and authority, in accordance with the word of God as found in Hebrews 13:17. Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.” Before we begin with our list of buts, remember that these leaders will be held accountable to God for the flock. So as we think of our list of doubts and exceptions, know that God will hold all leaders accountable for those they lead. This implies that we are to take our concerns to God and rely upon His mercy and justice.
We are also to be subject to one another, so far as to receive the reproofs and councils one of another, and bear one another’s burdens. We are also to perform all the offices of friendship and charity to each other. As I grew in the Lord my pride would raise up its defenses when confronted by another, saying to myself; who are they to reproof me, look at their lives? During certain times of honest reproof the Spirit of God is there to confirm what I am hearing, so that I must humbly accept this person honest reproof. Even now when I am know that I am right it is a struggle to not strike back when challenged.
The act of submission to superiors in age or office, as well being subject to one another, are contrary to our proud and selfish nature this is why Peter advises his readers and us to be clothed in humility, as a beautiful garment. Taking this attitude towards humility makes obedience and our duty to God and others easy and pleasant. When we are disobedient and proud, God sets Himself to oppose and drive that pride from us, God resists the proud. Our pride stands in the way of what God wants to do in our lives, and by His grace we are molded into a useable tool for the service of the Lord. Humility is a great preserver of peace and order in the church and society, therefore pride is the greatest disturber of them, and the cause of many dissentions and breaches in the church. There is a mutual opposition between God and the proud as they war against God and as He scorns them. They have become like Satan, enemies to himself and to His kingdom among men.
Where God gives grace to the humble, He will give more grace, more wisdom, faith, holiness, and humility, thus Peter adds verse six. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. Since God resist the proud and pours out His grace on the humble we are to humble ourselves, not only to one another, but to God as well, for His judgments are coming upon the world, and must begin in the house of God, as Peter alluded to in the previous chapter. His hand is mighty, and can pull down the proud, and exalt the humble, and this He shall do as He promises either in this life, or at the Day of Judgment, according to His will. God is not slack in His promises, and what He says He will do, will be done, a brother and I where talking, how little we use the phrase; “as the Lord wills”. If we are to seek the Lord’s will for our life, and walk in the promises of God, shouldn’t this be our language as well? Perhaps……. as the Lord wills. The consideration of the omnipotent hand of God should make us humble and submissive to Him in all that He brings or allows in our lives.
James says in 4:7-10 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinner; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. Humbling ourselves to God under his hand is the next step to deliverance, exaltation, patience under His chastisements, and submission to His pleasure, repentance, prayer, and hope in His mercy, that will engage His help and release in His timing.
V. 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Peter, knowing his readers were under persecution for their beliefs, knows that further and greater hardships might cause them to doubt what they have come to know. The issues surrounding these persecutions and the burden on themselves, their families, and their church, might cause them to become anxious and a source of temptation. He offers them this advice to cast all their cares and all care for themselves upon God.
The best of Christians are apt to labor under the burden of anxious and excessive care, Peter calls it, all your care, stating that the cares of Christians are various, and of varying degrees. The cares of even good people, are very burdensome, and too often very sinful; when they arise from disbelief, when they torture and distract the mind, leaving us unfit for the duties in life and steal our joy of service for the Lord.
Throwing all our cares which wound our soul, and pierce our hearts upon the wise and gracious providence of God, allows God to work in each of these situations for our good. Trust in Him, for He cares for you. He is willing to release you of your care, and take that care upon Himself. He will either avert what you fear, or support you under it. He will order all events to you so as to convince you of His paternal love and tenderness towards you.

Shepherding the Flock

1 Peter 5:1-4
V.1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:
Peter turns and addresses the leaders of the church at this time, and humbly does by refer to himself as a fellow elder. A good leader will not look down upon those he is given to lead, but remind them that they are in this together. I have heard a few pastors say that theirs would be a great job if not for the people, but if not for the sheep there would be no need of a Shepard. We must all remember that we are fellow servants in the Lord, gifted by God to do the work that He has set aside for us to do. We call each other brother and sister not only to remember that we are part of the family of God, but to remember that we are in this thing called life together. We love, laugh, cry, and rejoice together, sharing each aspect of life with each other. When we lift up our concerns before the congregation we are calling upon the family to share in our hurt and to pray with us. When we lift up our praise to the family of God we are allowing them to rejoice with us, and share in the glory of God. Peter is telling this church and its leaders that he is suffering with them, he is rejoicing with them, and he is look forward to the return of Christ with them.
As partakers in glory, we have a right to it through the blood of Christ, not as it is due us, but as in a will, an inheritance. We have an anticipation of it by the power of the Holy Ghost; and we have a promise of it from our Lord and Master. Many times in the Old Testament men of God cried out to God; “How long, O God!” how often do we cry out to God for the promise of God to be revealed, for Christ to split the sky and usher in His kingdom, for Jesus to return for His bride as He promised. Come even now Lord Jesus!
V. 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
Here the pastor’s job is described and the way it should be administered. Shepherd the flock, by preaching to them the Word of God, and leading them by such direction and discipline that is found in the Word of God. Both pastors and leaders in the church are to care for what has been appointed to them either by God or by man.
Leaders are to practice self-denial, holiness, and all other Christian duties which they preach or represent with their offices. For not only will God hold us accountable for the words we speak, but God will as well.
The duties described above must be preformed not out of compulsion, nor since of civil duty, but from a willing mind that takes pleasure in the work. This work is not to be done for dishonest gain. This does not always mean for gain of wealth, but also power, and to push error over the word of God. Paul warns Timothy of such leaders in 1 Timothy 6:3-5; If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. As men and women of God we are to not engage these leaders in debate, but approach them with love to bring them their error, being not judgmental, for God will judge them.
V. 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
In Ezekiel 34:1-5 God gives instruction to the prophet of what to say to those entrusted to the care of the people of Israel and the word of God. V. 1And the word came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds; “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock? 3 “You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. 4 “The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. 5 “So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beast of the field when they were scattered.
These leaders became self centered and absorbed in their own agenda, that they forgot why they were shepherds. Not to be too hard on the leaders of Israel, this is a trap that has befallen many great leaders who start out with a pure heart for God and for one reason or another drift from the path that God has called them to. It is a trap that has tempted many of us for various reasons, perhaps it is simple pride that cause those called of God to stray from that calling and from the will of God for them. The reason I began this ministry was out of a need that I had to find more time to study the word of God. I realized that there were others out there who did not have the time to study as well, so I felt led to share my studies with others in hope that it would encourage them to dig deeper into the word of God. It has been tempting to say look at what I am doing in order to draw attention to myself. That is not the focus of this ministry but to draw focus on the word of God and the riches found within.
If the flock is not cared for in the manner that God explains above, they will scatter to the winds of false doctrine and be led away from the true word of God. Remembering that God has entrusted leaders to rightly administer the word of God, and leads us to where we can be fed, we need to be faithful to the will of God for our lives. What God has begun in us He will bring about to completion when we remain focused on the ministry He has given to us. Whether that be preaching, teaching, or offering a glass of water to a friend, do it with the same joy to which you began. By this we are becoming living examples to those we minister to. For if your walk does not match your talk, how can you expect to lead others?
V. 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
Leaders are called by God empowered by the Holy Spirit to care for the flocks of the Master. It is a daunting task, to which we are to approach with humility and a pure heart for the flock. It is always to be our prayer for God to teach us to love His people. When we have used body, soul, spirit, time and talent to keep the flock, and work as God gives an increase to these flocks, we shall receive a crown of glory. We shall enjoy an eternal nearness and intimacy with God. Those faithful to the call of God upon their lives shall shine not as stars in the sky but as sons in the kingdom of the Father! We as Christians carry the seeds of the gospel and sow it according to the will of the Father. It is God who nourish those seeds and see His crop to a glorious harvest, where we shall rejoice, in God’s kingdom in glory which shall never become tarnished with time. What a wonderful thought that the same joy we experience our first day with the Lord in heaven shall be renewed each and every day for eternity. Oh that would be true of us today.