1 Peter Chapter 5

“2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
As men and women of God in a secular world and a secular work environment, it is easy to see that there are are people that we are able to help better understand the Gospel and the God that inspired it. Even when we are not given the most influential platform, we can still make an impact in the lives of those that are around us; whether it be family who don’t know the LORD, or it is friends and co-workers that are skeptical of our faith. We are asked to demonstrate God’s love to those who don’t know ands don’t love God.
In the calling on our lives, it is not our responsibility to hold the Gospel over our friends and family’s heads, where we act “greater-than-thou.” In reality it is our responsibility to be eager to serve those that need God’s grace. We are asked to guide them closer to the LORD.
“5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
While those that are given a high level of influence are expected to guide those in their influence closer to God, it is also true that those who are younger or in a lower level of influence should remain humble, allowing the elders to teach them and guide them in the faith.
In order to learn the faith and walk it out faithfully, we need to be willing to admit that we have much to learn and we need to seek understanding from those who are older in the faith. It is at that point that they can then teach the next generation in the faith.
“8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
In order to grow in faith and later teach the faith, we need to be sober minded, able to focus on God’s truth and God’s path that lays before us. The easiest way to do that we need to understand our own weaknesses. That means we also need to study the movements of the enemy in our lives.
In order to resist the enemy and his schemes, we need to understand them in fullness. At what times are we at our weakest? What are some things that we need to surround ourselves with to strengthen our faith? Lastly, what are some things that we need to avoid in order to not hinder our grow in the LORD?
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
When we are able to resist the enemy and we are able to humble ourselves before the LORD, we are then able to grow in the faith by growing closer to God. Through God’s grace and love we are given eternal glory in heaven. It is through God that we are freed from our sinful past and restored not the men and women that we are meant to be. It is through that growth that are made strong. It  is for this reason why we continuously given God the credit for the growth that we experience throughout our lives.