1 Peter 5:6 (ESV), “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.”
Every single one of us yearns for the feeling of being glorified. The desire to feel significant and for others to acknowledge it is something that deeply resonates with us. It is important to note that having that desire is not inherently wrong. Every legitimate human desire, which is inherently natural, serves a purpose that honors God, and there is always a proper means to express it. In this situation, it is important to note that we, as humans, are created in the image of God, and as a result, we have been endowed with the inherent longing to be exalted. For understanding the biblical, Christian perspective on glory, it is crucial to listen to God’s teachings on the matter. According to the teachings of the Bible, it is encouraged to refrain from excessive striving in order to achieve our goals, and instead, place our trust in God’s timing and divine plan, allowing Him to elevate us when and where He deems appropriate. We are fortunate to have a father who not only loves us but also fulfills his role with great dedication and care.
Jesus demonstrated to us the proper way of accomplishing that. The book of Philippians, chapter 2, emphasizes that Jesus, despite being God, humbled Himself and took on the form of a human when He came to earth. In contrast, he chose to become a servant to all. Subsequently, the Father raised Jesus to the highest rank in the entirety of the cosmos. Peter affirms that idea in both this verse and the next one. Why do we find it difficult to display humility when interacting with other Christians? Why do we find it difficult to accept living in subordination to others? We dread the idea of fading into insignificance, of not being acknowledged, and of diminishing our worth.
In the context of Scripture, the term “humility” does not imply weakness or self-loathing. It signifies understanding our connection to God in a meaningful way. It represents the balance between strength and discipline. C.S. Lewis once stated that humility does not mean having a lower opinion of oneself, but focusing less on oneself.
Peter is reminding us we should show humility towards our human authorities, including the elders in the church. We are willingly submitting ourselves to the authority of God. When the right moment arrives, He will elevate us, whether it be in this life, the afterlife, or both, to a certain degree. Our readiness to serve and diminish ourselves is not an admission of our lack of significance. By humbly serving, we affirm our trust in our powerful God to grant us the recognition and honor we desire at the appropriate time.
Shalom
Context for this post: https://www.bibleref.com
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