In 1 Peter 4, we
are told that as Christians we can expect to suffer. We are also told to make
sure that suffering is because we stand for Christ and not because of bad
behavior. We are to be an example, as believers, of how lives can be changed
when submitted to Jesus Christ.
God calls us to
have humble hearts. Why is that? Pride is the antithesis of humility and causes
our hearts to be hardened. Pride makes us think we already know what we don’t
and makes us unteachable. If we cling to our human pride God cannot reach us.
If we cannot hear what He has to say to us, we cannot be used by Him and
therefore He will turn His face from us (Prov 3:34).
If we keep
ourselves humble, learn God’s word and live in its Truth, we not only will be
used by God to further His kingdom, but we will be able to resist any
temptation that might draw us away Him. It is at this time that God will lift
us up. He will move us into positions HE has trained us for not necessarily
ones that are of our choosing.
God offers us each
different gifts that correspond with the personality He put in us. No one gift
is greater than the other. The bible describes this as being a body. The hand
is not greater than the fingers, however it is necessary to the body. If all
members of a body were fingers there would be no body… just a bunch of fingers
laying around.
If we don’t pay
attention to God, or want to only see what we like in the bible, we can expect
to be devoured by the devil. However, if we seek the truth of God’s word no
matter what changes that might bring in our lives, accepting the convictions as
well as the confirmations of our actions and thoughts, we will have no fear of
what satan or this world tries to do to us. 1 Peter 5: 8 says
8 Be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking
whom he may devour.
This is the
distinction to make, satan is NOT a lion, he simply would like to fool you in
to thinking he is so he can rob you of what God has put in your life. If we
stay clear-headed and alert, satan cannot sneak up on us. God will warn us of
things to come and will lead us away from or through them if we keep focused on
Him. When we endure suffering for His name’s sake, He rewards us with a crown
of glory and life.
I
pray we all strive to receive these crowns that we may lay them at the feet of
Jesus when we go to live eternally in Heaven.
Riding
the whirlwind of God’s grace, mercy and love
L
Hu∙mil∙i∙ty
- noun \hyü-ˈmi-lə-tē,
yü-\ -
The quality or state of being humble
hum·ble (hŭm∙bǝl) adj. hum·bler, hum·blest
1. Marked by meekness or
modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit; not arrogant or prideful.
2. Showing deferential or
submissive respect: a humble apology.
3. Low in rank, quality, or
station; unpretentious or lowly: a humble cottage.
Proverbs 3:34 - New King James Version (NKJV)
34 Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the
humble.
1 Peter 5 New King James Version (NKJV)
5 The elders who are among
you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of
Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd
the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion
but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor
as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the
flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you
will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
5 Likewise you younger
people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be
submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for
“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.” Proverbs 3:34
But gives grace to the humble.” Proverbs 3:34
6 Therefore humble yourselves
under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting
all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking
whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the
faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in
the world. 10 But may the God of all grace,
who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have
suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To
Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
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