Wednesday Bible Study: The end of all things- 1 Peter

 

This week I see in 1 Peter a simple instruction in humility.  But Peter knows nothing is simple in fallen man, and he himself has had to have humbleness beat into him. That's why I like him, because he shows that God knows how to beat it into ME.  I hope as I write these down here, they will sink into me, to the depths at which I need them.

First, Peter talks to the elders of the church, because they are the leaders, the shepherds of the flock, and the temptation is too great to power.

1Pe 5:1  So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:
1Pe 5:2  shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;
1Pe 5:3  not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
1Pe 5:4  And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

So, three do's and three do nots.    And the first one reminds us that not just everyone is cut out for church leadership.  It cannot, cannot be 'just a job'; last year too many 'high-profile' people involved in ministry either left the church or were escorted (to put it politely) out the door for just that reason.  The only way you can truly do this job willingly is to love God, and use that as your basis.

The first one leads to the second one; if it's just a job, it becomes just like any other job, for the bucks.  And, in some special cases, about the glory.  Sadly, there's no real external 'warning sign' on this one; a Pastor can be led into glorifying himself BY his flock, or a worship leader can 'appropriate' the praises meant for God to his own account.  It's easy to say, as long as they are listening, as long as it's 'being blessed', it's okay.  But it's not about who's listening to you, but who you're listening TO.  Jesus keep me mindful of this... The third is why I started "The Better Part on FB- I have complained too much that too many Christians are losing focus on the job at hand, and too little time being an example of doing it in a better way.

Now, those who AREN'T in leadership are not exempt because of not 'being in charge'.  Peter has three things for them, as well...

1Pe 5:5  Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
1Pe 5:6  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
1Pe 5:7  casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

This is kind of the 'but who is my neighbor' passage for humility. Since he had been talking to the elders before, Peter wanted to stamp out any, "Boy he put you in your place" mentality by reminding them that they needed to SUBMIT to those same elders.  The second uses a metaphor our pastor hit hard on when we were just in 1 Peter, the idea of 'clothing' yourself in humility for others.  This doesn't mean you put on something fake; it means it is an every day, every moment battle to think of others more highly than yourself.  And trust me, if you 'get this' and then revert to selfish type, it will leave you feeling naked before God. And of course, the most important part is to humble yourself before God.  Note that last verse, which I pasted as just a throw in.  But now I look at it and see, this is God's example to the elders striving for their third admonition.  How do I "not domineer, but be an example?" By following the example of how the Father in heaven treats US.

Now, join the parts together.

It requires willingness to be subject.

It requires an eagerness to see others ahead of oneself.

And if we lead, we remember how God leads us.

I read these words and I see my frustration with many Christians in that the have not applied these lessons to their reaction to the world of 2020.  But, it starts with me.