Amazing Grace #31

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. ( I Peter 5)

Grace is how we get along.  As Peter concludes his words of encouragement to struggling and suffering saints, he takes time to address relationships and responsibilities to one another and before God.  Leaders are to guide, not drive the sheep who have been entrusted to them.  Youth are to respectfully follow the leadership of the body. All are to have a sense of humility toward one another, as God "opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."  As we saw earlier in this series, it is impossible to receive grace without humility.  This statement of fact, therefore, becomes and exhortation: "Humble yourselves!"  How many problems in our families, churches, and nation would go away if we simply would do that. Hand in hand with humility is trust: allowing God to have our fears and anxieties - to believe that He really cares and can do what we cannot do - that He is the God of Grace.  The one who really wants us to live without grace is our enemy, the devil.  He wants to puff us up and wear us down, eroding our faith, and wondering if it really is worth following Christ after all. He wants us to doubt God's grace. But God is the God of all Grace - grace we need for every situation, and when we humbly turn to and trust Him in Christ, He will restore our soul, confirm our convictions, strengthen us for our struggles, and help us stand firm in the storms of life.