Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
1 Peter 5:5
As a child, it was very challenging for me to respect my elders growing up, especially if I felt that they were wrong or not understanding me… I can recall as if it was yesterday how often I would become upset and feel a sense of anger toward those who thought that just because of their years on this earth, respect was due to them… There is no tougher situation I recall facing in this life than to respect and submit to someone who I didn’t or don’t think deserves it… Rolling back 3 chapters in this book and looking at verse 9 you will find these words, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” The reason why I bring this verse to the forefront of our study today is because we indeed are a chosen generation and called a peculiar people… Understand today that you are held to a higher standard, though others may talk about people and slander their brothers or sisters, we are “chosen” to extend a hand to the needy and to not give way to our own vengeance…
In walking this Christian journey, remember that you are a “peculiar people,” this means that you will handle situations differently than the norm and you will find happiness in things the world counts as useless… This is the very reason why Jesus was able to call Judas “friend” even though he had come to betray Him. It’s the same reason why Jesus prayed for forgiveness on the cross and healed the soldier’s ear which had been cut off… The work we do on this earth is to build God’s kingdom… We willingly submit knowing that there is power in submission… Christ submitted to the will of His Father and received all power in heaven and on earth… We are called to remain humble and “be subject one to another” simply because we need each other… We have to keep ourselves grounded in God’s word and desires to carry out this directive recorded by Peter. If you seek to be humble, God will provide the things you need to obtain that level of humility so that you will be respected and be able to give respect to one another!
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