Living in Humility
1 Peter 5:1-9
“Me first” seems to be the mantra for many people’s lives today. They not only have to be the first to buy the latest smartphone, but they also will cut in front of others on the interstate to be sure they are first in line. Or they take others’ investments and commit fraud – spending the money on themselves while issuing false reports of earnings.
These people are not likely to say “Excuse me” or “I’m sorry.” Instead, they are more likely to declare, “I can’t help it; that’s just the way I am.” They exhibit pride, arrogance and aggression, and most often are applauded for it by the world.
This “me first” attitude is the opposite of humility, which is obviously what Christians should display in all they do.
Humility is the underlying theme of 1 Peter 5, in which Peter outlines how humility should characterize every relationship that a believer has.
In 5:1-4, Peter encourages elders such as himself to shepherd the flock willingly and not in a domineering manner. Elders, also known as shepherds or pastors or overseers in the New Testament, lead God’s flock but are to do so in humility and not for money.
Leaders need to have pure motives for leading God’s flock. Certainly this requirement should be expected of all church leaders, not just those who are pastors.
Peter then turns his attention from the leaders of the congregation to the flock itself. The younger believers in the congregation should submit themselves in humility to those who are older.
Everyone, in fact, should be clothed with humility toward one another (5:5). Peter says the reason for this is that God gives grace to the humble, a fact that Peter quotes from Proverbs 3:34.
Beyond earthly relationships, believers need to humble themselves in how they relate to God (5:6-7).
God is sovereign and may allow unjust suffering and persecution in the lives of his children, but believers should humble themselves before the Lord knowing that He cares and that in due time He will lift them up out of it.
Humility also recognizes that any one of us could fall to the devil’s schemes. Peter describes the devil as a roaring lion who is seeking someone to devour.
Believers should respond with humility, which produces vigilance to resist him and stand firm in their faith. We know that in due time the Lord will deliver each of us from temptation.
Sands– Lessons in the ETB series for the fall quarter are being written by Alex Sands, pastor of Kingdom Life Christian Center, Greenville.