Excellent Exhortations

KEY VERSE: “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” —I Peter 5:6,7

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: I Peter 5:1-11

THE ORGANIZATION OF congregations, (Greek “ekklesia,” meaning ‘a calling out’ or ‘a selection’) involved selecting some who were “apt to teach” (I Tim. 3:2), in the congregation, to be overseers or elders. In today’s lesson, very good advice is given by Peter to these elders. But his exhortation is applicable not alone to teachers, but to the entire congregation.

He told the elders that they must accept their responsibilities willingly. No one should be forced to serve in this capacity as elder. They must not agree to serve in the office for any personal gain—either financial or in prestige or power—which might accompany it, but eagerly feed the flock of God no matter what it involves in the way of expenditure of time, money, ignominious labor, strength, or whatever the cost might be. Peter reminded the elders that they should not be domineering, or exalt themselves above the other members of the congregation. They were appointed to be examples to the flock and, as such, should reflect the humble character and dedicated pattern of life set forth by Jesus, the Chief Shepherd of the flock of God.—vs. 4

In order for harmony to exist in an ecclesia, all elders and members must be clothed with humility, and must be subject one to another. As Peter astutely recognized, “God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble.” (I Pet. 5:5) Although humility is a prime requisite to be sought in selecting elders, it is equally of utmost importance that all Christians exhibit this grace.

We recognize the appropriateness of Peter’s advice when sometimes we see the intrusion of Satan into ecclesia matters. He is a wily foe, disrupting the peace and prosperity of the gatherings. As Peter also reminds us, Satan is a “roaring lion” who seeks to disrupt and destroy true faith and trust in God.—I Pet. 5:8

When the principle of humility is not carefully observed in ecclesia affairs, it may leave an opening for Satan to enter in. Pride is one of Satan’s favorite tools, and he uses it well. Peter’s exhortation to develop humility was written with this in mind. We can resist the Devil steadfastly in the faith by remembering all the exhortations of God’s Holy Word. We are not alone in these battles with the Adversary. No, the same problems and afflictions Satan brings to bear are shared by true Christians all over the world. Therefore we must apply in our lives and in ecclesia matters the exhortations of Peter in this epistle.

Another of his tools is over-anxiety, which also can be a disturbing influence in our lives and ecclesias. Once again, Peter gave us very sound advice, exhorting us in the words of our Key Verse, “to cast all our care [anxiety] upon him.”

Peter was well aware of the importance of his advice. He had been over-anxious about the delay of our Lord’s acquisition of his rightful authority as the Messiah and had been rebuked by the Lord for attempting to stand in the way of the completion of his sacrifice. (Matt. 16:21-23) At the Memorial Supper Jesus said to Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”—Luke 22:31,32

If we follow Peter’s advice successfully, we shall indeed be rewarded with a crown of glory when the Chief Shepherd appears. And we shall be restored, established, and strengthened by him who called us unto his eternal glory.—I Pet. 5:10

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