The word peril is defined by Webster dictionary as follows: “exposure to the risk of being injured, destroyed or lost: danger.” As believers in Jesus Christ, we are not exempted from the dangers and troubles of this dismal and decadent world. Jesus Christ has instructed us that we will encounter persecution or suffering when He said: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace, In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” The Apostle Paul admonished us to expect persecution as a result of living for Christ, for II Timothy 3:12 says: “Yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
Having dealt with the Elder’s Role of Leadership during perilous times (I Peter 5:1-4), Peter exhorts believers serving in this perverse age to: I. Be Submissive and Humble in our Walk – I Peter 5:5-7; II. Be Vigilant and Steadfast in the Faith – I Peter 5:8-11.
I. Be Submissive and Humble in our Walk – I Peter 5:5-7
In verse 5, Peter admonishes the young men to be submissive to those who are older. Church leaders were usually older members. The younger members were to place themselves willingly under the authority of those who had been given the responsibility of leadership. Submission is a very important characteristic of a true believer. It is necessary because it is a part of obeying God’s established order.
God has established lines of authority in society, in the home, and in the church. Peter admonished both the young and old to clothe yourselves with humility.
Peter recalled how the Lord girded Himself with a towel and taught His self-seeking disciples an invaluable lesson in humility. Christ taught His disciples that humility is the prerequisite for service, and service is a practice of humility (St. John 13:4-15). Peter quoted from Proverbs 3:34 to stress that God resists or opposes the arrogant, but grants grace to the humble. In verses 6-7, Peter commanded these believers to humble themselves under the mighty Hand of God as they suffered persecution for Christ’s sake. As they humble themselves, they were to be encouraged that the same mighty Hand that allowed the suffering would one day lift them up!
As Peter further encouraged them, he quoted from Psalm 55:22 “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you.” In a time of extreme trouble and distress, we can take all of our troubles, distress and anxieties and cast them on Christ! (v. 7). Christ will sustain us during our times of anxiety and distress because He cares for us! The word “sustain” means to support or bring relief to. Christ sustains because He cares as He states: “Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29).
Having observed that as believers we should “Be Submissive and Humble in our Walk” – I Peter 5:5-7, let us now observe “Be Vigilant and Steadfast in the Faith” – I Peter 5:8-11.
II. Be Vigilant and Steadfast in the Faith – I Peter 5:8-11
Having admonished the believers to ‘Be Submissive and Humble’ in their walk in verses 5-7, Peter admonishes the believers in view of perilous times to “Be Vigilant and Steadfast in the Faith” (vv. 8-11).
Believers need to exercise self-control and be alert because the adversary, the devil, is persistently seeking an opportunity for an attack. As believers, we need to be sober-minded and alert because Satan is a malicious and dangerous enemy! Satan is called an “adversary” which means “one who accuses us”. The word “devil” means a “slanderer.” Satan accuses us before God (Job Chapters 1, 2; Revelation 12:10), and uses the lips of unsaved people to falsely accuse us (I Peter 2:12, 3:16). Satan comes either as a serpent to deceive (Genesis Chapter 3) or as a lion to devour. He is a liar and a murderer (St. John 8:44).
In verse 9, Peter encouraged the believers to stand firmly in the faith against the wiles of the devil acknowledging that there are other suffering believers in the world.
We are to resist the devil. The word resist means to withstand. The word resist is a term of defense rather than attack. As believers, we can stand firm against Satan only if we depend wholly on Christ and the Word. God’s purpose will be worked out through a unified body. In verse 10, Peter encouraged these believers to endure suffering in such a way that the grace of God would be made manifest in their lives. In a beautiful benediction, Peter committed them to the God of all grace. Believers of the Lord Jesus Christ can be comforted in knowing that the suffering that they encounter will last only a little while, while their glory in Christ, to which they were called, will be eternal.
Yes, the hardships of this earthly life are short in comparison with the Lord’s eternal blessings. After enduring the ravages of severe trials, God will make us perfect, stablish, strengthen and settle us. Peter concludes verse 11 with this closing: “To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
Brothers and sisters, in the midst of the various trials we encounter in life, our God is able to sustain us, for Jude 24, 25 says: “Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His Glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”
In verse 12, Peter wrote to encourage believers to endure persecution so that the grace of God might be evident to the unbelieving world. After sending a general salutation to the church in Babylon (v. 13), the church was to greet one another with a kiss of charity with the knowledge that peace is available to those in Christ.
May God Bless!
Dr. Johnny Calvin Smith
