How to be restored, confirmed, strengthened, and established in the true hope of Christ.

Finishing up my reading of 1 Peter this morning I wanted to share the admonitions he gives us to follow. First of we are to be humble. Though Peter begins with a direction to the young men, he goes on to extend this command to us all.

1 Peter 5:5
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Humility is sorely lacking in us Christians today. The world teaches us just the opposite and modern psychology follows right along. We live in the me, me, me world, but if we are to be Disciples of Christ we must humble ourselves. Peter is clear about what God’s position is on pride; He opposes the prideful. I don’t know about you but I do not desire any opposition from God. I long for and need His grace. I want to be humble because God gives grace to the humble.

But in our flesh we want to be important. The truth of the Christian life is that in this world we are not to be important but we are to be God’s light and we are to consider others as more important than ourselves as Philippians 2:3 commands us. If we live a life of humility here, there will be a great reward in due time. That due time may very well be in eternity. When Christ came to the earth as a man He modeled this for us. He had to endure the shame and the pain of the cross before He ascended into the glory of His rightful place at the father’s right hand. Who are we to expect differently?

1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

Next Peter speaks a word that we all need to follow.

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Sometimes in the midst of all our troubles in this life we get anxious. But God cares for us. Jesus preached the greatest sermon ever that explains just how much God cares for us. Read Matthew 6:25-34. Do you believe the words of Jesus? If you do then do what He says in verse 33 and “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” He cares for you. He went to the cross and suffered and died for you. Trust in Him.

Next Peter warns us to be self-controlled and alert.

1 Peter 5:8
 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Notice that we have to actively participate in this life. We need self-control. I’m not very good at that. How about you? Self-control is one the fruits of the Spirit as listed in Galatians 5:22-23. So we must humble ourselves and pray always that we be filled with the Spirit. We must confess our weakness so that we can live in the strength God provides through the Spirit who lives inside all believers.

We have an enemy and He is a formidable one. But He who lives in us is greater. So we must resist the devil.

1 Peter 5:9
Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

We are in this together as the Body of Christ. We have the power through the Holy Spirit to stand against the enemy. So we must remain firm in our faith. We need to encourage each other in our days on this earth. This is what church is. It is God’s people bearing each other’s burdens.

But clearly we live as Christians in a time of war; spiritual war. Ephesians chapter 6 explains. This life will be a life filled with battles. But Jesus has already won the war. We just need to stand firm in our faith as we mop up the final resistance of the enemy until Christ returns. There is sure hope in His return. Peter reminds us.

1 Peter 5:10
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Suffering is part of our Christian life. But in the end God will complete in us what He began. Suffering is how we grow to be like Christ.

So when times get hard offer Him your complete praise. Trust in Him that He will “restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” Pray. Read His Word every day making its hope and its truth the foundation upon which you stand. God is in control. You can believe that.

1 Peter 5:11
To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Humble yourself and let God have the reins. It’s His dominion, forever and ever.

Amen.