One House : 1 PeterSample

Young & Old in Humility

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.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:5–7 ESV

Submission, humility, and trust in God are qualities of victorious Christians. Submitting to the authority of the spiritual leaders of the church is an act of spiritual maturity. Submitting to one another requires great humility. Peter here is addressing all of us, including the young—that we are to submit and put on humility like a garment, laying aside our own agendas to serve God’s. The way to self-forgetfulness is through being others-centered. Can we serve the people of God as if we are serving God himself?

Peter quotes Proverbs 3:34, “God opposes the proud…” reminding us that God’s grace actually stands in opposition to proud independence and self-reliance. To be on the wrong side of that battle forfeits God’s protection and provision. We can trust that God’s mighty hand is ever prevailing, even when the odds are against us. If we resist humble obedience because of impatience or dissatisfaction, we miss out on the blessings that humility produces. Trust God’s process and timing. His exaltation is so much better than self-promotion.

If you are willing to be nothing, God will make something of you. The way to the top of the ladder is to begin at the lowest round. In fact, in the church of God, the way up is to go down; but he that is ambitious to be at the top will find himself before long at the bottom.

- C.H. Spurgeon

The truest test of humility is found in our ability to trust God with that which he has promised to care for. We are to throw our confusion, discouragement, disappointment, despair, and suffering at the feet of the Savior who knows what he is doing. He will build his church.