“5 Likewise you are younger be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 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. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 5:5-11
“Humility follows God like a shadow.” John Piper.
Where are you in proximity to God? Being close to God produces humility. Those who follow God are dwelling in the shadow of the Almighty!
1. Humility is born in our lives through the work of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.
2. Humility is essential to the Christian life and is a defining mark of a believer.
3. There is an incentive to pursue humility (verses 5-7). God gives grace, exalts, and cares for the humble. God also opposes the proud.
Humility is found in our hearts but seen in our actions.
One way that humility is expressed can be seen here in 1 Peter 5:7, “casting all your cares on him, because He cares for you.” Pride is found in our pursuit of self-sufficiency. Self-sufficiency points to glory of a man and not the glory of God. Through our dependence and trust in God, we aim our lives in the trajectory of humility and His glory.
We can trust God with everything!
We can place our anxieties about life, relationships, and our future on him because we know and believe that He is Sovereign. We know and believe that God is working to perfect and sustain us until the end.