1 Peter 5

Elders or leaders in the church are appointed to help oversee or shepherd the flock. There is an expectation of spiritual maturity, which is not age related, and evidence of a proven walk of faith that has been tested and found to be genuine. Peter exhorts the elders in Verses 2-4 to, “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”  I think these verses just excluded many of today's church leaders. Lording authority over the flock, and gaining in money, influence, or worldly standing seem to be more the norm. A shepherd's heart is not something you can create in the flesh. It requires a supernatural gifting from God and comes with a huge responsibility of accountability to Him who calls. Too many men are jockeying for position in the church and are failing miserably at sacrificially loving and caring for God's sheep, when they were not even called in the first place. They will be judged for their poor leadership. James 3:1, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.”

Ezekiel 34:2-10, “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for  them.” ‘Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: “As I live,” says the Lord God, “surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became food for every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, nor did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock”— therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the Lord ! Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand; I will cause them to cease feeding the sheep, and the shepherds shall feed themselves no more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouths, that they may no longer be food for them.”

We are living in a generation that rejects all authority, but those of the true church ought to look different. Knowing the responsibility of leaders and their accountability to God, we must humble ourselves and submit to them. Not for the sake of our leader, but for our own spiritual well-being, in obedience to God's command. Verses 5-7, “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.' Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”  If you do not like how an elder or pastor is leading, or even your husband's leadership decisions, then take it up with God. I think of David's attitude toward Saul and his leadership. Saul was even seeking David's life, but David was humble and respected the position that God gave to Saul. David waited for God to remove Saul and did not take matters into his own hands, even when presented the opportunity to end Saul's life. It would have been very easy to convince himself that God had provided the opportunity to kill him too.

Verse 8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” Living under the constant threat of the enemy should make us appreciate a watchman looking out for our soul. But many would rather let their hearts be weighed down with the cares of this life and the deceitfulness of sin. Christians may want to have "fun" in their social groups and ignore spiritual truths, but we are told to be watchful and on guard against attacks from the enemy. Why? Not only can we fall away from the grace that brings salvation, but according to Romans 11, we can be cut off by God! Letting brothers and sisters get trapped back into the bondage of sin is not loving. Consider this verse from the previous chapter: 1 Peter 4:18, “Now 'If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?' ” It is sobering to think that a righteous person is scarcely saved. Even though the church may be accepting of certain lifestyles and sinful actions, it doesn't mean that God is okay with them. The road that leads to eternal life is narrow and difficult, and few will find it. These days, the church seems like just another broad road, containing a trace remnant of true believers at best. Do yourself a favor and forget about pleasing the group, and please Him who has the power to send your soul to Hell.

Concerning the devil and his schemes, we are told in Verses 9-10 to, “Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 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.”  Instead of resisting the work that God wants to do in you through sufferings, and falling into self-pity thinking you have it worse than everyone else, you need to trust God that He will strengthen you and use your trials to perfect you. Our sufferings are not unique that we can use the excuse that they are especially difficult to justify our choice to give in to our flesh. When you patiently endure the suffering, God will perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. It is a lie to believe that you have no way out and give up. Things will settle down, and worrying and complaining in the meantime is unbelief, which is displeasing to God.  Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  We truly can cast our cares upon Him, and have child-like trust in our Heavenly Father, but we have to choose to believe His promises and act according to our beliefs.