Wed, 30 November 2016
The Bible is full of paradoxes. The first shall be last. The last shall be first. To receive, we give. To live, we die. The greatest is the servant of all. In humbling ourselves we are exalted. The way up is down.
1 Peter 5:1-7 drives home some of these paradoxes. If we are willing to serve—to put others first, God will bless that attitude and our lives will be better for it.
This spirit of humility is the theme that Peter emphasizes for the relationships that we are to have in the family of God. Our model in it all is Jesus—the One who perfectly models the truth that the way up . . . is down.
What a great message as we approach the Christmas season! What a motive for Thanksgiving! He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of dying on the cross. In doing so God exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name. At that name we are saved.
Let’s follow Him as we descend into greatness.
Living Hope “How to Defeat Our Defeated Foe” 1 Peter 5:8-11
Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
Be sober-minded; be watchful. . . . Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world (1 Peter 5:8-9).
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. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 5:10-11).
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