The Sixth Sunday after Creation (NTA)

1 Peter 5:1-11

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, not under compulsion, but willingly, 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. 

God has called all his people to be ready to speak. You need to be prepared for the threats of the Devil. He is constantly on attack, and generally he will attack you when you least expect it. So we need to continue to work together to strengthen one another for those times when the devil will attack.

It is difficult for many of us to recognize how proud we actually are. You will often think of theologians or even evangelists that think they have all the answers. You may even reflect in yourself about how little you actually know. But in all these things we can become too prideful. Some will be prideful about their ignorance, claiming to be so humble and accepting. Others will be prideful in their arogance, claiming to be better than those around them.

Have you ever heard someone say that they, or their group, are the only ones who are going to heaven? Have you likewise ever heard someone say that everyone is going to heave (possibly with the exception of a few truly horrible people)? These are the two sides of the fence. And Satan loves these people. Be careful, and look to Christ. Continue to be strengthened through both his works to humble, or discipline, us as well as Christ's work of forgiveness given to you.