Lead Well, Resist Temptation – 1 Peter 5
As Peter closes this epistle, he makes a brief appeal to the leaders of the body of Christ in exile and suffering for the cause of Jesus. It is vital to remember as he closes, that all of this letter is addressed to this group; being persecuted and suffering injustice.
In that context, he reminds the leaders, the elders, to 'shepherd the flock' of God. He places a great expectation on the leaders to feed the flock not the food of the culture or the grain of vindication, but to help them feast on the buffet of submission, peace, and kindness ... even while being unjustly persecuted. He also reminds them that this isn't to be done out of greed of power or position, but out of humility and service.
Then, he closes the letter with an admonition to the people at large. He knew they were suffering. He knew they had many worries and care. He calls them to lay these worries at the feet of Jesus.
It is in this vein he warns them that the enemy is walking around as a roaring lion looking to devout them. Many quote this verse to support resisting things like the temptation to lust, greed, infidelity, pride, etc, and those are certainly all good admonitions. But Peter has a different temptation in mind according to the context.
He encourages them (and us) to be careful of the temptation for self-vindication and hatred for the oppressors. He says to resist the devil's temptation to fall into the pit of self-preservation and to remember that other believers in the world are experiencing the same sorts of thing. In fact, he says to rejoice in it as they are now sharing in the sufferings of Jesus, allowing them to know Him on a totally different level.
It is God Himself who will, in the end, after suffering a little while, restore them and comfort them in their affliction.
Our modern American church culture has been infected by a terrible parasite where we have been convinced that the greatest expression of our faith is to make sure we gain and maintain political power while reducing any perceivable form of suffering or hardship while doing so.
This attitude is actually the opposite of what we are called to in 1 Peter. It doesn't say we should not seek justice or fairness, but it does say when injustice or unfairness finds us, the proper heart posture is one of quiet submission, committing our lives and hearts to God, who can be trusted with our souls.
May we spend our energy and our resources caring for the poor, the needy, and the oppressed among us instead of falling prey to the temptation of our enemy to stop our own suffering at all costs.
In that context, he reminds the leaders, the elders, to 'shepherd the flock' of God. He places a great expectation on the leaders to feed the flock not the food of the culture or the grain of vindication, but to help them feast on the buffet of submission, peace, and kindness ... even while being unjustly persecuted. He also reminds them that this isn't to be done out of greed of power or position, but out of humility and service.
Then, he closes the letter with an admonition to the people at large. He knew they were suffering. He knew they had many worries and care. He calls them to lay these worries at the feet of Jesus.
It is in this vein he warns them that the enemy is walking around as a roaring lion looking to devout them. Many quote this verse to support resisting things like the temptation to lust, greed, infidelity, pride, etc, and those are certainly all good admonitions. But Peter has a different temptation in mind according to the context.
He encourages them (and us) to be careful of the temptation for self-vindication and hatred for the oppressors. He says to resist the devil's temptation to fall into the pit of self-preservation and to remember that other believers in the world are experiencing the same sorts of thing. In fact, he says to rejoice in it as they are now sharing in the sufferings of Jesus, allowing them to know Him on a totally different level.
It is God Himself who will, in the end, after suffering a little while, restore them and comfort them in their affliction.
Our modern American church culture has been infected by a terrible parasite where we have been convinced that the greatest expression of our faith is to make sure we gain and maintain political power while reducing any perceivable form of suffering or hardship while doing so.
This attitude is actually the opposite of what we are called to in 1 Peter. It doesn't say we should not seek justice or fairness, but it does say when injustice or unfairness finds us, the proper heart posture is one of quiet submission, committing our lives and hearts to God, who can be trusted with our souls.
May we spend our energy and our resources caring for the poor, the needy, and the oppressed among us instead of falling prey to the temptation of our enemy to stop our own suffering at all costs.
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