BE STRONG & STEADFAST!

1 Peter 5:1-14 

Thursday, 09 January 2025

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. ….-1 Peter 5:10 

The first Epistle of Peter focuses on exhorting believers to stand firm in all kinds of sufferings and to set forth the true grace of God. There is sufferings in the true Christian life according to Lord’s will and there are rewards that follow. When Peter wrote this letter, many were persecuted and went through trouble. Yet Peter encouraged them to face it because our Master showed an example to follow in His footsteps. 

In today’s reading Peter has exhortations for both the leaders and believers of the Church, that edify and provide hope for our Christian walk. When we practice the advice provided, we will surely receive the blessings God has kept for us. Let’s look into it:

Counsel to Pastors and Leaders (Vs 2-3)

• Shepherd God’s flock: Pastors and leaders must understand that its God’s flock given to you to care for. Paul spoke of it in Acts 20: 28: “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” The Shepherd’s role is to keep watch over the flock and care for their needs in tangible ways. The foremost aspect of feeding the flock is to nourish them with spiritual food- God’s Word that will help them grow. Caring for the sheep also means engaging in practical ways for the overall welfare of God’s people. 

• Serve eagerly: If the leader serves by compulsion and not willingness, there is no joy in the service. The leader’s love for the Lord Jesus is to be reflected in his serving His people. Peter warns against dishonest gain—its not a profit making business! If the motive for service is personal gain, it’s far from what our Master Jesus showed us by His sacrificial service! Ephesians 6:7 [NLT] renders: “Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” People warm up to those leaders who are willing to be alongside them and help. 

• Show an example: V.3 in the NLT reads: “Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.” None can surpass the example of Jesus who washed His disciples’ feet in an act of humble service (John 13:1-17). Preaching without practice will be of no use to a congregation, who do not see it in the life of their leader. People will follow the good example of a leader who models before them the principles in God’s Word. 

  
  

The blessing/reward of a faithful leader’s service is when the Chief Shepherd appears, he/she will receive the unfading crown of glory (V.4).

Counsel to all Christians (Vs 5-9)

• Submit to leaders and remain humble: We honour the Lord when we submit to the authorities God has placed over our lives. Besides, in a congregation, humility is the dress code in our relating to one another.  Peter also exhorts us to humble ourselves before God that He may exalt us at the proper time (V.6)

• Cast all your cares on the Lord: There are ample things in life that can cause us worry and concern and unless we learn to cast them on the Lord, we can be weighed down by them. 

• Be sober-minded, vigilant and watchful: We are living in the end times when vigilance and watchfulness are much required. The enemy is out with his devices to turn us away from the Lord. Peter says: “Resist him, standing firm in the faith…” (V.9)

  
  

The counsel to both leaders and believers is interconnected— everyone has a responsibility, and none is exempted. When we fulfill our part with great humility, depending upon the grace of God, we will surely accomplish the great purpose of the Lord through our lives. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus make me firm, strong and steadfast in my faith and service to You. Amen.