1 Peter 5:1-14

Remember the theme of 1 Peter: the revelation or revealing of Jesus Christ in and through us now.  This takes place as we abstain from fleshly lusts and let the divine nature of God's love be revealed in and through us.  Remember the terms of maturity that Peter speaks of:  being born again, 1 Peter 1:3. As newborn babes, desiring the pure milk of the Word.  1 Peter 2:2.  As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to your former lusts.  1 Peter 1:14  The elders who are among you.  1 Peter 5:1.  Peter is telling us to grow up in the Lord by putting off the deeds of the flesh and walking in holiness.

1 Peter 5:1-4 "The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away."  When Peter refers to elders, he is not referring to older people in age, but those who have matured in the faith by putting off the works of the flesh and walking in holiness.  This should be the pattern and standard for all leaders in the church.  Peter says that he is a witness of the sufferings of Christ.  Peter saw Jesus suffer in the flesh.  But Peter also says that he is a partaker of the glory that will be revealed.  So Peter is saying that he has suffered in the flesh and ceased from sinning, and the glory or divine nature of God's love is being revealed through him.  He exhorts these fellow elders to follow his example and be examples themselves of God's love and holiness to His people, the flock of God.  It is the flock of God, not our own flock.  God will reward those who have been faithful examples in leading His flock.

1 Peter 5:5-9 "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."  Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world."

Peter is not necessarily speaking to younger people in age, but those who are new to the faith and are just learning to walk in holiness.  He tells them to submit to their elders, or in other words, follow the example of the elders in walking in holiness.  He says we should all be submissive to one another and walk in humility.  Peter quotes Proverbs and says that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.  It is interesting that even with the teaching of grace, God still resists us if we refuse to walk in holiness.  We might not like that idea, but it is scripture.  How do we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God?  We follow the leading of the Spirit into holiness.  How do we resist our adversary the devil?  We stop sinning!  We stop giving him a chance to devour us and destroy our lives by persisting in sin.  We are steadfast in the faith, walking in holiness, knowing that all Christians are called to suffer in the flesh and cease from sinning. Wow! I never saw that before, nor have I heard it preached that way.  But that is the context of what Peter is saying.

1 Peter 5:10 "But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you."  He is the God of ALL GRACE.  That grace is not only the forgiveness of the sins of our entire lifetime, but it is the grace that leads us to suffer in the flesh or stop being led by the lusts of our flesh and to cease from sinning.  After we have stopped sinning, he perfects or matures us.  He establishes, strengthens and settles us.  When we stop sinning, our lives become more peaceful and joyous and we are established in His grace.

1 Peter 5:11-14 "To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever.  Amen.  By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand. She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you, and so does Mark my son.  Greet one another with a kiss of love.  Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen."  Peter says that this is the TRUE GRACE OF GOD in which you stand.  To know that the sins of our entire lifetime is just the beginning of the grace of God in our lives.  To suffer in the flesh by abstaining from fleshly lusts and ceasing from sin, is the rest of the true grace of God in our lives.  This is the revelation or revealing of Jesus Christ in and through us.

Praise the Lord!  I have learned much from studying the book of 1 Peter.  May I learn to walk in reverence for my Father and conduct myself in godliness and holiness during my time here on the earth.

Keith Oliver