Love The People

1 Peter 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.”
⁶Therefore 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.

We are to read and work together to help one another receive the gifts from Christ.  Live, learn and love each other from a love for God to receive a crown of glory.  We should be dying to humble ourselves to God and one another, that God might impart these blessings upon us.  Giving up proud looks, judgmental gestures and that think I know it all attitude.  (Proverbs 16:18) “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”  If the word of God is not coming out of your mouth 24/7, then you do not know it all and are deceiving yourself from the truth.  God says talk about me in the morning, noon, and night.  It is our God that runs the universe.  Who would not want to spend time each day with the man who knows all your thoughts, ideas, and plans, and the thoughts of others who can help you or sabotage you.  God says all who will humble themselves He will exalt, but those who exalt themselves, He will humble.  But you may not like the way He humbles you, if you’re not knowledgeable in His word.  God says we must suffer for Christ our King.  So put on the armor of God that represents love and be strengthened, established, perfect, and settled in God.  Love the people. 

 

Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

 

Vincent Young, Christian Analyst