ICS Daily Devotions
Clothed with Humbleness
It is important for a church to walk in unity, heading towards the same vision. Yet before the church can walk as one heading in the same direction, we as Christians need to deal with ourselves in the area of pride and submission. Pride opens the door for the devil to attack and cause disturbance.
1 Peter 5:5 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 resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Peter encouraged the members to love one another with sincere love and to love each other fervently. However, it is easier said than done because all of us are imperfect and we find it difficult to love. There were all kinds of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and evil speaking in these churches. It was an unhealthy situation to have while trying deal with the work of the devil at the same time. It leaves the church vulnerable to the attack of the evil one when there is squabble in the camp.
Peter was addressing the shepherds of the flock who were serving under the Chief Shepherd, which is God. The elders of the different areas where the people had been dispersed were called to shepherd the flock of believers. Peter was dealing with the shepherds and believers at the same time. It can become very complex in a church situation, especially when there is a need for leadership and the reaction towards leadership.
The shepherd is to submit to the Chief Shepherd and carry out whatever he has been entrusted with and oversee the work of the ministry. As long as the shepherd is aware that he serves the Chief Shepherd, it will keep him humble! He has the right attitude to be accountable to God above. It is a vertical relationship and accountability.
Next, Peter spoke to the younger ones to submit to the elders. The younger ones are many times passionate, opinionated, fast talking and at times impatient with the system or think that they can do a better job. It creates friction and unnecessary tension. They were proud and not willing to submit. Peter had to deal with the pride.
Pride is not an attribute of God but the devil’s. God detests pride because it was pride that caused Lucifer to turn away and caused Adam and Eve to fall. Hence, it will still be pride that will cause us to fall.
Pride will prevent us from walking with God and be under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We desire to be the masters of our own destiny and enjoy the blessings of God as well. We resist to be told what to do! However, we need to be told what to do in the ways of God so that we are able to truly enjoy the abundant life. It will also keep us under the protection of God. The last thing we would want in our life is to experience a resistance from God.
Some people resist having God as the Lord of their lives though they don’t mind having Him being their Savior. This itself is an issue of pride. If man is not able to submit to God who sends His son to die for us on the cross, it will be even more difficult to be under a shepherd whom God has placed to give oversight of His flock. Therefore, Peter is encouraging the people to submit to the elders, the shepherds, and to encourage the shepherds not to be abusive with their power and authority. It is a check on both the shepherd and the flock.
We have to remember that the shepherd is responsible to protect the flock from being attacked by the lions, the bears, the wolves and every other kind of predators besides leading the flock to green pastures and still water. This is in the natural but the spiritual aspect is to protect the flock from the evil one and to feed them with spiritual food. However, if the people were to turn around to attack and destroy the elder or shepherd, there will be no more protection and the people are open to the attacks of the evil one. God’s hands will also be tied because of man’s pride and the work of the flesh.
God looks at our heart and He will promote us when He sees humbleness in us. Peter is asking for submission vertically and horizontally. There are two ways of submission: submission to God and submission to one another at the same time. When we are able to submit to the teaching, the Word of God will produce thirty, sixty and a hundred-fold benefit in our lives. The fruit of the Holy Spirit will be evident in our lives.
Sermon series: There is power in the seed
