READ 1 Peter 5

 “…Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon Him: for He careth for you” (1 Peter 5:5-7).

Peter, in the context, has spoken of the position of the pastor (elder) and our need to be subject unto such.  Now he speaks in much broader terms when he states, “…Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility…”  The call to submissiveness and humility is universal, for “all” does mean all.

Submissiveness and humility are two different things.  It is possible for you to be submissive while in heart you aren’t.  You can force submission while you are not humble.  Being subject is a military term which means to rank under.  However, humility is having a modest opinion of self.  Submission alone isn’t enough. According to the Lord, we must be humbly submissive to be right with others.

Why is this dual attitude so important?  Because “God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (vs. 5).  To be the recipient of grace you must be humble.  As a matter of fact, if you aren’t humble God will resist you!  This means He will oppose you and will arrange Himself to do battle against you.  Certainly no one wants God to do battle against them.  The application is given in verses 6-7, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.”

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

 MEDITATIONS

1.  Why is it sometimes difficult to be humble?

2.  In what ways can you learn to humble yourself, to be clothed with humility?

3.  A healthy fear of God is a good thing.  Why is this so?

4.How does God exalt the humble?