1 Peter 5:1- 14 " Feeding the Flock of God"
"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: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away."
Submit to God, Resist the Devil.
"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 resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 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".
Farewell and Peace
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. (NKJV)
"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: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away."
Submit to God, Resist the Devil.
"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 resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 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".
Farewell and Peace
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. (NKJV)
Introduction:
This Epistle was written by the Apostle Peter to encourage all believers to stand true to their relationship in Jesus Christ and to remain true to the faith even though they were to experience all kinds of fierce trials and persecution by those Judaizers who denied the faith, unbelievers and those who saw the new church as a threat to their raunchy debased lives. The Apostle said they were to set forth the "true grace" of God.
Identifying With Fellow Elders
The elders whom Peter eluded to were senior members of the faith and ministers of the gospel. who were responsible for their flock. These aged men in particular who being mature in the faith were being exhorted by Peter to make full proof of their ministries by "feeding the flock of God" without pretense. In addressing these pastors and ministers, Peter in the 1st two verses first identifies with them." I who am a fellow elder and a witness".
The Apostle Peter in this verse both gives exhortation and identifies with the elders bay calling himself a "co-presbyter" with them; rather than use his apostolic position as leverage to get an audience with them. He makes this one of the grounds of his exhortation to them. He does not put it on the ground of his apostolic authority; urges it because he was the vicegerent of Christ; because he was the head of the church; or because he had any pre-eminence over others in any way.
Then as a witness....
Even though it can be accurately said Peter for a short period of time was a witness who denied Jesus for fear of his life, Peter was truly an eye-witness to Christ's sufferings; Because Jesus gave Peter another chance and Peter obviously repented at some point, Jesus told Peter that after his sifting and conversion, his assignment would be to strengthen the brethren, to exhort them to serving in their perspective ministries with godly integrity and for the glory of God and not for selfish gain of any kind..
During Jesus earthly ministry:
Peter was privileged to both walk with Jesus when he was on earth. He was called by Jesus to become a "fisher of men". During Jesus' 3 year ministry on earth, he observed Jesus witnessing, teaching, preaching and healing, casting out demons and delivering men, women, boys and girls who were spiritually bound by demonic forces. Not only this, on one occasion, Peter was with James and John when Jesus "transfigured" into His glorified body and appeared in the sky talking with with Elijah and Moses.
He was with Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was with him when he was arrested by Herod's soldiers and after the rest of his close disciples scattered from Gethsemane, he warmed himself by an open fire in the high priest's hall. Whether he followed him to the cross we don't know. In all likelihood he didn't, because it was in the hall of the high priest that he had denied him 3 times most shamefully; and, having been deeply convicted of the greatness of his crime, it is likely he withdrew to some private place, to humble himself before God, and to implore mercy. He could, however, with the strictest propriety, say, from the above circumstances, that he was a witness of the sufferings of Christ. and thirdly....
As a "partaker" of the glory of God
He had a right to it through the blood of the Lamb. Peter as well as all of us had a blessed anticipation of the glory of God by the power of the Holy Spirit; and he had the promise from his Lord and Master that he should be with him in heaven, to behold his glory; (John 17:22,24).
Shepherd the flock of God: "Feed Them Jesus"
Peter exhorted his fellow ministers of the faith to have godly integrity in their ministry as well as their ministering to God's people. He compels them to "feed the flock of God" which is among them, serving in the capacity of overseers, pastors, teachers, etc.. not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being living examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, these elders and overseers will receive the "crown of glory" that does not fade away".
The Phrase "Feed the flock of God" echoes the same mandate the Apostle Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2-5:
"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry". (NKJV)
Peter was saying if you have been truly called by Jehovah to the gospel ministry, make sure you preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Don't go about doing your duty as if you felt that a heavy yoke was imposed on you, or a burden from which you would gladly be discharged from doing. No, go cheerfully doing your duty as a work which you love, As arduous as the labors of the ministry are, there is no work on this earth that a man can and should labor more joyfully and enthusiasm. Because you are overseers, make sure you keep careful watch over God's flock (the believers of faith), not just because you have been called to do it but because you desire to do it.
Peter instructed them not to act as "lords" over the people of God because to do so would be an act of usurping God's authority over the flock that truly belongs to Him.. The Church, as one whole, is God's heritage or flock.. A pastor may have leadership over a local church body, but never has lordship. The local church assembly is but a microcosm of the body of Christ that's been called out by accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ to salvation, consecration and then to evangelism.
.
Don't "fleece" the flock, that is don't take advantage of your position and influence God has given you and use it to take advantage of them for selfish gain. (filthy lucre) Rather, have holy enthusiasm concerning their welfare and spiritual well being. As a child of God and a minister to the mission field, you must walk in godly integrity and be a living example of what it means to be led by the Holy Spirit in your daily living. You must practice what you preach and let your life line up with what you say with your lips. Jesus said: The harvest is great but the laborers are so few.
Character and Conduct: Submit to God....Resist the Devil
To have a ministry that's pleasing to God, Peter told all the key was based on 2 words: submission and resistance. First everyone had to submit to God. This meant they had to allow God's will to be done in their lives. Jesus in Matthew 26: 38 submitted to the will of the Father and said "Nevertheless, let not my will, but your will ( the Father) be done". You have to commit your way to the Lord and give absolutely no place to the devil.. Peter in the next few verses turns his attention to the younger ministers in the faith. Look what he says to them:
Then submit to each other: According to Age and Positions of Ministry.....
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resist the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Every minister, missionary and teacher should have mutual respect for each other and operate in a spirit of co-operation. We are collective evangelistic team. To be a force on the evangelism field, Peter here exhort that the elders and younger to hold true to the callings God place upon each of them and never allow the devil to make them see each other as threats or enemies. And for those who aren't in a viable leadership position must give respect to those who have a responsibility to lead them as they are led by Jesus Christ. Strive all to serve each other; let the pastors strive to serve the people, and the people care for their pastors; and let there be no contention, but who shall do most to oblige and profit all the rest. This is similar to what the Apostle Paul said to the Philippian church in Philippians 2:3:
"Let nothing be done through strife, that is with a spirit of contention".
This command forbids us to do anything, or attempt anything that is the outcry of strife between factions in the Christian faith. As followers of Jesus Christ "strife" is not a principle from which we are to act out in character or by which we are to be governed. We are to walk out our soul salvation with fear and trembling. We are not to form any schemes and aim at no objective which is to be secured by strife. God's word prohibits all attempts of a child of God to secure anything over others by brute strength, superiority of intellect or numbers neither as the result of dark schemes and evil plans formed by rivalries, the indulgence of angry passions, or with the spirit of ambition. We are not to attempt to do anything merely by outstripping others, or by bragging that we have more talent, courage, or zeal. Whatever we do is to be by godly principle, and with a desire to maintain the truth, with our sole aim being to glorify God. And yet how often is this rule violated!
Be clothed on humility....
The elders were to be willing to take any place of service, and perform any office of duty however humble (level of importance), in order to serve and benefit others. They were not to assume a style and dignity (posture) of state and authority, as if they would lord it over others, or as if they were better than others; but they were to be willing to occupy any station, however humble, (low in stature and status) by which they might honor God.
It is noteworthy to mention this is not to imply that a few of the early Christians actually sold themselves as slaves, in order that they might preach the gospel to those who were in bondage. The sense here is, they were to put on humility as a garment bound fast to them, as a servant bound fast to him the apron that was significant of his station. (compare Colossians 3:13).
For God resist the proud …..Peter quotes this verse from in Proverbs 3:34.
"The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. He Apostle James also quoted the same verse (James 2:2) saying "proud mockers" but gives grace to the humble". (NIV)
The Apostle James 4:6, where it is also quoted Proverbs 3:33-34
["But he giveth more grace] The reference here is undoubtedly to God. Some scholars have regarded this clause as a continuation of the quotation in the previous verse, but it is rather to be considered as a declaration of the apostle himself. James had just spoken of envy, and of the crimes which grew out of it. He thought of the wars and commotions of the earth, and of the various lusts which reigned among men. In the contemplation of these things, it seems suddenly to have occurred to him that everybody was not under the influence of these things; that there were cases where some men were restrained, and a spirit in opposition was present in some and to these things prevailed"
.
Another passage of Scripture struck his mind, containing the truth that there was a class of men to whom God gave grace to restrain these passions, and to subdue these carnal propensities. They were the humble, in contrast to the proud; and he states the fact that "God giveth more grace;" that is, that in some instances he confers more grace than in the cases referred to; to some he gives more grace to overcome their evil passions, and to subdue their corrupt inclinations, than he does to others. The meaning may be thus expressed: - "It is true that the natural spirit in man is one that tends to envy, and thus leads to all the sad consequences of envy. But there are instances in which higher grace or favor is conferred; in which these feelings are subdued, and these consequences are prevented. They are not indeed to be found among the proud, whom God always resists; but they are to be found among the meek and the humble. Wherefore submit yourselves to his arrangements; resist the devil; draw nigh to God; purify yourselves, and weep over your past offences, and you shall find that the Lord will lift you up, and bestow his favor upon you,"
The "Key" to Being Exalted (In "Due Season")
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (1 Peter 5:6) (NKJV)
Here the underlining message Peter conveys to the elders and other leaders is leaders (young and old) and elders must be willing (if need be) to take a place-or position that may not be a place of exaltation or prominence (what we call "in the lime light"). Sometimes, we must willingly take an "humble" place, a place of obscurity, such as becomes you. It's not wise to become arrogant and arrogate (that is assign or seek) for yourselves a position or authority that does not belong to you. Don't display an attitude (spirit) of pride and haughtiness in your manners.
It's never good to exalt yourselves above others In the ministry or in life in general regardless of your state or status position wise. You are no better than the person with greater responsibility. You may be better off, socially of financially, but you are no better! If is wasn't for the grace of God, you could be in the same position the person you think you are better than is. God is no respecter of persons and the one thing that grieves the Holy Spirit is pride. It's one of 7 things God hated in a person. Satan's downfall happened when he made 5 pride filled statements (in his heart) in Isaiah 14:12-14.
The Mighty Hand of God "God's Intrinsic Authority"
Whatever we are able to do of whatever authority we have, the authority we have is "derived", which means it's authority that is given on a temporary basis and can be taken back by the giver at any time. Peter conveyed to the leaders in his day that there was no greater authority than the sovereign authority of Jehovah. Any work that was to be done for the sake of evangelism and pastoral in nature had to be done God's way and under His banner. God can and will humble the proud and arrogant
Peter makes it quite clear that God hand of power was upon them and it's only by the hand of God that they would accomplish anything for the kingdom, even for themselves. Concerning the phrase "under the mighty hand of God" one theologian makes this following observation:
"This refers probably to the calamities which he (God) either had brought upon them, or was about to bring upon them; represented here, as often elsewhere in other biblical passages, as the infliction of his hand, the hand being that by which we accomplish anything. When that hand (God's) was upon them they were not to be lifted up with pride and with a spirit of rebellion, but were to take a lowly place before him, and submit to him with a calm mind, believing that he would exalt them in due time".
I can't think of any situation in which anyone will be more likely to feel humility or become humbled than in times of affliction" and fierce persecution. God allows times of affliction and persecution to befall a prideful person that He may exalt you in due time. That is, when he determines it to be a proper time: So what are the assurances a leader of any child of God can have in God elevating them?
1) They can be assured that God has an appointed time for major changes in the life of a believer. "The steps of a good man are ordered by God".....(Psalms 37:23-24) NKJV
Peter wanted them to know God would not always leave them in a low and depressed condition. He would take off his heavy hand, and raise them up from their state of sadness and suffering to joy and freedom.
(2) Elevation would be in due time; that is, in the proper time, in the best time:
In layman's terms, it could happen immediately or somewhere in their lifetime when it is "due season", or certainly it'll happen in the world to come. On the new earth, there they would be exalted to honors which will be more than an equivalent for all the persecution, poverty, and contempt which are suffered in this world. He may well afford to be humble here who is to be exalted to a throne in heaven. The cross you bear here if you endure to the end will yield you a crown in eternity.
Conclusion: Food for Thought.....
How often do Christian denominations attempt to outstrip each other; slamming each other with vicious criticism, becoming publicly competitive with one another just to see which one of us will be labeled by the masses a successful ministry or the greatest minister in our field of ministry. How often do a lot of ministers preach with no better aim that to attempt to "show up" or intimidate younger less experienced ministers How often do we attempt to out do others in dress, and in the splendor of furniture and equipment that furnishes the church or worship centers we hold services in? How often, even in plans of benevolence, and in the case of virtue and religion, is the secret aim to out do others. This is all wrong. There is no act of holiness in such efforts and in no way does this glorifies God.. Never once did Jesus, our Redeemer act with such a motive, and never once should this motive be allowed to influence us. The conduct of others may be allowed to show us what we can do, and ought to do; even what not to do, but it should never be our aim to outstrip them. Like Paul said some preached with pretense, some with the purpose of strive, that is to increase the bonds or burdens on another, and some preached in truth. Which one are you?
Dr. William Edward Boddie
This Epistle was written by the Apostle Peter to encourage all believers to stand true to their relationship in Jesus Christ and to remain true to the faith even though they were to experience all kinds of fierce trials and persecution by those Judaizers who denied the faith, unbelievers and those who saw the new church as a threat to their raunchy debased lives. The Apostle said they were to set forth the "true grace" of God.
Identifying With Fellow Elders
The elders whom Peter eluded to were senior members of the faith and ministers of the gospel. who were responsible for their flock. These aged men in particular who being mature in the faith were being exhorted by Peter to make full proof of their ministries by "feeding the flock of God" without pretense. In addressing these pastors and ministers, Peter in the 1st two verses first identifies with them." I who am a fellow elder and a witness".
The Apostle Peter in this verse both gives exhortation and identifies with the elders bay calling himself a "co-presbyter" with them; rather than use his apostolic position as leverage to get an audience with them. He makes this one of the grounds of his exhortation to them. He does not put it on the ground of his apostolic authority; urges it because he was the vicegerent of Christ; because he was the head of the church; or because he had any pre-eminence over others in any way.
Then as a witness....
Even though it can be accurately said Peter for a short period of time was a witness who denied Jesus for fear of his life, Peter was truly an eye-witness to Christ's sufferings; Because Jesus gave Peter another chance and Peter obviously repented at some point, Jesus told Peter that after his sifting and conversion, his assignment would be to strengthen the brethren, to exhort them to serving in their perspective ministries with godly integrity and for the glory of God and not for selfish gain of any kind..
During Jesus earthly ministry:
Peter was privileged to both walk with Jesus when he was on earth. He was called by Jesus to become a "fisher of men". During Jesus' 3 year ministry on earth, he observed Jesus witnessing, teaching, preaching and healing, casting out demons and delivering men, women, boys and girls who were spiritually bound by demonic forces. Not only this, on one occasion, Peter was with James and John when Jesus "transfigured" into His glorified body and appeared in the sky talking with with Elijah and Moses.
He was with Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was with him when he was arrested by Herod's soldiers and after the rest of his close disciples scattered from Gethsemane, he warmed himself by an open fire in the high priest's hall. Whether he followed him to the cross we don't know. In all likelihood he didn't, because it was in the hall of the high priest that he had denied him 3 times most shamefully; and, having been deeply convicted of the greatness of his crime, it is likely he withdrew to some private place, to humble himself before God, and to implore mercy. He could, however, with the strictest propriety, say, from the above circumstances, that he was a witness of the sufferings of Christ. and thirdly....
As a "partaker" of the glory of God
He had a right to it through the blood of the Lamb. Peter as well as all of us had a blessed anticipation of the glory of God by the power of the Holy Spirit; and he had the promise from his Lord and Master that he should be with him in heaven, to behold his glory; (John 17:22,24).
Shepherd the flock of God: "Feed Them Jesus"
Peter exhorted his fellow ministers of the faith to have godly integrity in their ministry as well as their ministering to God's people. He compels them to "feed the flock of God" which is among them, serving in the capacity of overseers, pastors, teachers, etc.. not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being living examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, these elders and overseers will receive the "crown of glory" that does not fade away".
The Phrase "Feed the flock of God" echoes the same mandate the Apostle Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2-5:
"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry". (NKJV)
Peter was saying if you have been truly called by Jehovah to the gospel ministry, make sure you preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Don't go about doing your duty as if you felt that a heavy yoke was imposed on you, or a burden from which you would gladly be discharged from doing. No, go cheerfully doing your duty as a work which you love, As arduous as the labors of the ministry are, there is no work on this earth that a man can and should labor more joyfully and enthusiasm. Because you are overseers, make sure you keep careful watch over God's flock (the believers of faith), not just because you have been called to do it but because you desire to do it.
Peter instructed them not to act as "lords" over the people of God because to do so would be an act of usurping God's authority over the flock that truly belongs to Him.. The Church, as one whole, is God's heritage or flock.. A pastor may have leadership over a local church body, but never has lordship. The local church assembly is but a microcosm of the body of Christ that's been called out by accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ to salvation, consecration and then to evangelism.
.
Don't "fleece" the flock, that is don't take advantage of your position and influence God has given you and use it to take advantage of them for selfish gain. (filthy lucre) Rather, have holy enthusiasm concerning their welfare and spiritual well being. As a child of God and a minister to the mission field, you must walk in godly integrity and be a living example of what it means to be led by the Holy Spirit in your daily living. You must practice what you preach and let your life line up with what you say with your lips. Jesus said: The harvest is great but the laborers are so few.
Character and Conduct: Submit to God....Resist the Devil
To have a ministry that's pleasing to God, Peter told all the key was based on 2 words: submission and resistance. First everyone had to submit to God. This meant they had to allow God's will to be done in their lives. Jesus in Matthew 26: 38 submitted to the will of the Father and said "Nevertheless, let not my will, but your will ( the Father) be done". You have to commit your way to the Lord and give absolutely no place to the devil.. Peter in the next few verses turns his attention to the younger ministers in the faith. Look what he says to them:
Then submit to each other: According to Age and Positions of Ministry.....
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resist the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Every minister, missionary and teacher should have mutual respect for each other and operate in a spirit of co-operation. We are collective evangelistic team. To be a force on the evangelism field, Peter here exhort that the elders and younger to hold true to the callings God place upon each of them and never allow the devil to make them see each other as threats or enemies. And for those who aren't in a viable leadership position must give respect to those who have a responsibility to lead them as they are led by Jesus Christ. Strive all to serve each other; let the pastors strive to serve the people, and the people care for their pastors; and let there be no contention, but who shall do most to oblige and profit all the rest. This is similar to what the Apostle Paul said to the Philippian church in Philippians 2:3:
"Let nothing be done through strife, that is with a spirit of contention".
This command forbids us to do anything, or attempt anything that is the outcry of strife between factions in the Christian faith. As followers of Jesus Christ "strife" is not a principle from which we are to act out in character or by which we are to be governed. We are to walk out our soul salvation with fear and trembling. We are not to form any schemes and aim at no objective which is to be secured by strife. God's word prohibits all attempts of a child of God to secure anything over others by brute strength, superiority of intellect or numbers neither as the result of dark schemes and evil plans formed by rivalries, the indulgence of angry passions, or with the spirit of ambition. We are not to attempt to do anything merely by outstripping others, or by bragging that we have more talent, courage, or zeal. Whatever we do is to be by godly principle, and with a desire to maintain the truth, with our sole aim being to glorify God. And yet how often is this rule violated!
Be clothed on humility....
The elders were to be willing to take any place of service, and perform any office of duty however humble (level of importance), in order to serve and benefit others. They were not to assume a style and dignity (posture) of state and authority, as if they would lord it over others, or as if they were better than others; but they were to be willing to occupy any station, however humble, (low in stature and status) by which they might honor God.
It is noteworthy to mention this is not to imply that a few of the early Christians actually sold themselves as slaves, in order that they might preach the gospel to those who were in bondage. The sense here is, they were to put on humility as a garment bound fast to them, as a servant bound fast to him the apron that was significant of his station. (compare Colossians 3:13).
For God resist the proud …..Peter quotes this verse from in Proverbs 3:34.
"The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. He Apostle James also quoted the same verse (James 2:2) saying "proud mockers" but gives grace to the humble". (NIV)
The Apostle James 4:6, where it is also quoted Proverbs 3:33-34
["But he giveth more grace] The reference here is undoubtedly to God. Some scholars have regarded this clause as a continuation of the quotation in the previous verse, but it is rather to be considered as a declaration of the apostle himself. James had just spoken of envy, and of the crimes which grew out of it. He thought of the wars and commotions of the earth, and of the various lusts which reigned among men. In the contemplation of these things, it seems suddenly to have occurred to him that everybody was not under the influence of these things; that there were cases where some men were restrained, and a spirit in opposition was present in some and to these things prevailed"
.
Another passage of Scripture struck his mind, containing the truth that there was a class of men to whom God gave grace to restrain these passions, and to subdue these carnal propensities. They were the humble, in contrast to the proud; and he states the fact that "God giveth more grace;" that is, that in some instances he confers more grace than in the cases referred to; to some he gives more grace to overcome their evil passions, and to subdue their corrupt inclinations, than he does to others. The meaning may be thus expressed: - "It is true that the natural spirit in man is one that tends to envy, and thus leads to all the sad consequences of envy. But there are instances in which higher grace or favor is conferred; in which these feelings are subdued, and these consequences are prevented. They are not indeed to be found among the proud, whom God always resists; but they are to be found among the meek and the humble. Wherefore submit yourselves to his arrangements; resist the devil; draw nigh to God; purify yourselves, and weep over your past offences, and you shall find that the Lord will lift you up, and bestow his favor upon you,"
The "Key" to Being Exalted (In "Due Season")
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (1 Peter 5:6) (NKJV)
Here the underlining message Peter conveys to the elders and other leaders is leaders (young and old) and elders must be willing (if need be) to take a place-or position that may not be a place of exaltation or prominence (what we call "in the lime light"). Sometimes, we must willingly take an "humble" place, a place of obscurity, such as becomes you. It's not wise to become arrogant and arrogate (that is assign or seek) for yourselves a position or authority that does not belong to you. Don't display an attitude (spirit) of pride and haughtiness in your manners.
It's never good to exalt yourselves above others In the ministry or in life in general regardless of your state or status position wise. You are no better than the person with greater responsibility. You may be better off, socially of financially, but you are no better! If is wasn't for the grace of God, you could be in the same position the person you think you are better than is. God is no respecter of persons and the one thing that grieves the Holy Spirit is pride. It's one of 7 things God hated in a person. Satan's downfall happened when he made 5 pride filled statements (in his heart) in Isaiah 14:12-14.
The Mighty Hand of God "God's Intrinsic Authority"
Whatever we are able to do of whatever authority we have, the authority we have is "derived", which means it's authority that is given on a temporary basis and can be taken back by the giver at any time. Peter conveyed to the leaders in his day that there was no greater authority than the sovereign authority of Jehovah. Any work that was to be done for the sake of evangelism and pastoral in nature had to be done God's way and under His banner. God can and will humble the proud and arrogant
Peter makes it quite clear that God hand of power was upon them and it's only by the hand of God that they would accomplish anything for the kingdom, even for themselves. Concerning the phrase "under the mighty hand of God" one theologian makes this following observation:
"This refers probably to the calamities which he (God) either had brought upon them, or was about to bring upon them; represented here, as often elsewhere in other biblical passages, as the infliction of his hand, the hand being that by which we accomplish anything. When that hand (God's) was upon them they were not to be lifted up with pride and with a spirit of rebellion, but were to take a lowly place before him, and submit to him with a calm mind, believing that he would exalt them in due time".
I can't think of any situation in which anyone will be more likely to feel humility or become humbled than in times of affliction" and fierce persecution. God allows times of affliction and persecution to befall a prideful person that He may exalt you in due time. That is, when he determines it to be a proper time: So what are the assurances a leader of any child of God can have in God elevating them?
1) They can be assured that God has an appointed time for major changes in the life of a believer. "The steps of a good man are ordered by God".....(Psalms 37:23-24) NKJV
Peter wanted them to know God would not always leave them in a low and depressed condition. He would take off his heavy hand, and raise them up from their state of sadness and suffering to joy and freedom.
(2) Elevation would be in due time; that is, in the proper time, in the best time:
In layman's terms, it could happen immediately or somewhere in their lifetime when it is "due season", or certainly it'll happen in the world to come. On the new earth, there they would be exalted to honors which will be more than an equivalent for all the persecution, poverty, and contempt which are suffered in this world. He may well afford to be humble here who is to be exalted to a throne in heaven. The cross you bear here if you endure to the end will yield you a crown in eternity.
Conclusion: Food for Thought.....
How often do Christian denominations attempt to outstrip each other; slamming each other with vicious criticism, becoming publicly competitive with one another just to see which one of us will be labeled by the masses a successful ministry or the greatest minister in our field of ministry. How often do a lot of ministers preach with no better aim that to attempt to "show up" or intimidate younger less experienced ministers How often do we attempt to out do others in dress, and in the splendor of furniture and equipment that furnishes the church or worship centers we hold services in? How often, even in plans of benevolence, and in the case of virtue and religion, is the secret aim to out do others. This is all wrong. There is no act of holiness in such efforts and in no way does this glorifies God.. Never once did Jesus, our Redeemer act with such a motive, and never once should this motive be allowed to influence us. The conduct of others may be allowed to show us what we can do, and ought to do; even what not to do, but it should never be our aim to outstrip them. Like Paul said some preached with pretense, some with the purpose of strive, that is to increase the bonds or burdens on another, and some preached in truth. Which one are you?
Dr. William Edward Boddie
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