07/31/13 THOUGHTS CONCERNING 1 PETER 5:8-10
Some thoughts I shared at Bible study tonight.
In an earlier post, "METAPHOR," I mentioned 1 Peter 5:8-10 in reference to God helping His people in time of spiritual attack.
However, as I mused on it later (1 Pe. 5:5-10) I was challenged with the emphasis it places on how believers in a local church should relate to one another. I hope you read my comment below and think about what a wonderful body life churches would have if they simply lived in the reality of this passage.
First Peter 5
Directives to Pastors, to Parishioners and Promises to Overcomers
To The Elders (Leaders)
1 Peter 5:1-3
(1) The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
(2) Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
(3) Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
DLG notes...
In the first part of 1 Peter 5, Peter had directed the elders of the church to feed and lead their congregation as loving, caring shepherds; to lead the congregation by example and motivated by love rather than legalistic duty or carnal desire. They were to lead, rule as servants, not as "over-rulers" or with a high hand, but as examples, as TYPES. Leaders are to typify the relationship that exists between Christ and His people, and to be the pattern for the younger ones in the church.
To The Younger Ones (Parishioners)
1 Peter 5:5-17
(5) Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
(6) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
(7) Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
DLG notes...
vs. 5... Success in Christian living can only be found by younger Christians who honor and submit to older, mature Christians. Actually, in the church there is a spirit of submission throughout the congregation. No one lives for himself. There should be an attitude of humility that permeates the church. All of us are to see ourselves as each other's servants.
vs. 6... It takes a deliberate act of self denial in order to be humbled. It is not a matter of one part of the body seeking to lord it over the other parts, but each part seeking to come under the authority of God. We should place ourselves in submission and stay there until God lifts us up.
vs. 7... We cast our concerns, our station in life, our relationship in the body, onto Christ. We trust Him with our whole life and obey His word faithfully, because He cares for us, He loves us and will do us no harm. We should be part of a church that we trust will treat us in the way God wants us to be treated.
Directives To All Believers For Overcoming Satan's Attacks.
1 Peter 5:8-10
(8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
(9) Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
(10) But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
DLG notes...
vs. 8... BE SOBER, think clearly. Keep your thinking free of unwarranted fear and unseemly brashness. Don't be intoxicated with false philosophy or mind numbing pride. BE VIGILANT, be watchful, on guard, awake, alert to the subtle ways of Satan to divide you from the body. Don't be intimidated, but do not be ignorant of Satan's plan and his presence. Don't live in a state of ecstasy or unawareness. Satan is real, his threat is real, but believers should not be overtaken of shaken by Satan's intentions.
vs. 9... We can RESIST STEADFASTLY anything and everything that Satan throws at us. We can stand firm in the face of adversity. However, we must stand in faith, not in self assurance or pride of foolishness. Be assured, your temptation, your trial is not unique, it is not something that other believers have not overcome. There is nothing new under the sun and the God Who has helped others will help you also.
vs. 10... The God Who has extended grace, where judgment was due, the grace to forgive sins and regenerate souls, the grace to cleanse from all sin and impart His Holy Spirit, the grace to empower and lead His people into all truth and righteousness, has called us into His eternal glory and He will make His people perfect (completely repaired, restored); established (give firm foundation, make immovable); strengthen and settle. From beginning to end, this list reflects architectural concepts, which is consistent with the entire passage. God is building His Church into a unified body of faithful believers. This building takes place through the trials and suffering that each part must endure. We are being tried, tested, fitted into a holy priesthood.
