September 15, 2014
OOPS! I FORGOT MY HUMILITY.
1 Peter 5
Anne Rodgers
Central Truth
As you dress for your day, don't forget to put on humility. It's more important than deodorant in deterring you from being a stench, and It will allow you to be a pleasant aroma to the Lord.
Key Verse | 1 Peter 5:5–6
Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you. (1 Peter 5:5b-6)
1 Peter 5
Shepherd the Flock of God
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: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, 1 5:2 Some manuscripts omit exercising oversight not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; 2 5:2 Some manuscripts omit as God would have you not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 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.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Dive Deeper | 1 Peter 5
What wonderful words of wisdom from Peter -- you know, that disciple who denied Christ three times. He counsels us to serve others, watch over them, and not lord it over them. Then, there is the reminder that the devil prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour. (See Todd Wagner and a tiger cub, Watermark media, 6/28/2009). And, of course, every teenager's mantra, greet each other with a holy kiss.
But what stands out to me is the repeated emphasis on being humble. Peter instructs us to clothe ourselves with humility. That is, we need to choose it -- just like we choose outfits, accessories, or deodorant. I think he urges us to do this based on his own life experience. We know that ultimately he did humble himself by dying a martyr's death, making his faith a real testament to what the Lord did for him on the cross. Wagner says that humility is not thinking less about yourself, but thinking about yourself less. Who should we be thinking of? Others around us, and, most importantly, God our Redeemer.
This is hard to swallow because many times I choose pride instead of humility when I dress for my day. My husband can plainly see this when we discuss things, and I fight hard against him to seek a common ground -- often choosing pride to avoid conflict and suffering. Thomas Merton says, "Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real." But what is interesting is that when you choose humility, like Peter eventually did, suffering still may be around the corner. We are advised again that we are to join Christ in His (our) sufferings in this world. But the good news is that He has his eye on all of us because He cares for us, and this suffering is only for a little while (with heaven ending the struggle). Ultimately, HE will RESTORE, SUPPORT, and STRENGTHEN us (1 Peter 5:10, NLT). What a friend we have in Jesus -- no one on this earth is like Him, and that is the hope we have as Christians.
Discussion Questions
1. Is humility a part of your morning routine when you dress? Or are you more concerned with your cufflinks and which necklace will match your outfit for the day?
2. Is there a situation God is placing in your heart in which you must ask the Lord's help with humility?
3. When you realize you need Him, try this prayer by Thomas Merton, with humbleness of heart and expecting to see how God leads you. "My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you."
The prayer is continued here: http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/the-merton-prayer.