Humility in Peter’s time was seen as weakness and cowardice in that society, a little like our own times, not valued, indeed scorned, mocked and looked down as though the person is weak, they lack assertiveness, “But God…” highly values it, and He is ultimately who counts! Humility is not a poor self image or a denial of abilities. Humility understands the Source of those abilities, “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”-{{1 Cor 4:7}
Humility is a true estimate of one’s self when compared to God and an attitude of one’s dependence upon God, “Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,”-{Read 2 Cor 3:5}. And it is an attitude, Paul speaks of “Humility of mind,” and illustrates how it denies self, and prefers and serves others, such as the LORD Jesus, Timothy, Paul, Epahroditus in Philippians chapter 2.
Humble people are not “weak” people but a people who are in submission to and dependence upon the LORD Jesus, and who seek to live out preferring and serving others by the Power of the Holy Spirit in and through them, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.”-{Phil 2:13}.
1.HUMILITY SERVES;
Peter says, “Clothe yourselves with humility.” The word “Clothe,” was a familiar word that the hearers of Peter’s letter would have understood, it spoke of the “apron of a slave,” that was wrapped around them to cover their clothes from getting dirty. The apron identified the slave and came to mean an “Apron of humble service.” The follower of Christ, is to be identifiable by Humility and Peter says to “clothe” yourselves in humility, “towards one another.” Peter uses “clothing” as a word picture, and that of a slave. So, just as a slave wore an identifiable piece of clothing, we too are to be known what we wear, and what attitude we are to “put on,” and it is in humility, serving one another, as Paul put it, ” Do nothing from selfishness{contentiousness} or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,“-{Phil 2:3-5}.
A. – Note the Negative aspect- “Do nothing out of selfishness, {contentiousness} or empty conceit}”
B. – Here is the Positive aspect, “…but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; ”
C.- Here’s How we do this, “…do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. ”
D. – Here is What we are to do,- “…Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,”
All believers are to adopt this attitude and exhibit it in their behavior. An attitude adopted and an action a result!
2. HUMILITY IS OPPOSED TO PRIDE;
Peter gives one reason why we are to “Clothe yourselves in Humility,” when he says,”God is opposed to the proud!” “Opposed,” was a military term that spoke of an army gathering together as one in direct opposition, hostility, resistance- aligned together for that purpose. God Himself takes His stand in opposition to pride. Pride and humility are opposite poles. Pride is self sufficient and looks down on others as inferior while viewing itself as superior. Pride seeks to use others for self’s benefit. Humility seeks to serve others for Jesus sake and their benefits. Paul puts it this way, “You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. “-{Read 2 Cor 4:5}. Note humility’s attitude and Message is not the proclaiming of Self, but the LORD Jesus. Their Ministry, “…ourselves your servants.” The Motivation for thinking and living so? “…For Jesus sake!”
3. HUMILITY SUBMITS;
Peter when writing to these dear suffering, slandered ones, in the midst of hostility tells them to “Humble yourselves.” Grammatically it means, “Allow yourselves to be humbled by God,” It is to say submit yourselves to the humbling process of God and to those who do, He imparts Grace, empowerment for your trial, troubles, temptations, sufferings, testimony.
4. IN HUMILITY THERE IS SAFETY;
In Humility there is Safety! “humble yourselves UNDER The Mighty Hand Of God.” The phrase,”Mighty Hand of God,” is used in the Old Testament to speak of the Presence and Power of God. While the proud will not submit to God as they believe they themselves are self sufficient and not in need of God or if a time ever arrives that they feel they do, it seeks to use Him not submit to Him. Seek to make a”deal” with God as if they are in a place to. But the Safest place for anyone is in submission “UNDER” the Mighty Hand of God! It is a conscious choice when temptation comes to us in times of trials, suffering to chaff, doubt and we have to choose to submit ourselves our circumstances to Him, knowing there is no One More powerful than Him, and He is not out to crush us, for He crushed His Son on our behalf for our sin and satisfying His Righteousness. At times we may want to somehow control His “Hand,” as Jonah tried by seeking to divert His plan for the people of Nineveh. Or, when we try and control circumstances. But the safety is not that we are kept from troubles, trials, suffering but to know in them He who loves us is in absolute control. And all things are in submission to Him and nothing can separate us from the Love of God in Christ. -{Read Rom 8:31-39}. We may not always understand but we have the ability to trust Him, and though at times it may with trembling due to the stress we may be under, but we can trust Him because He is trustworthy and has our best in mind and His glory to bring about it. He stood up from His Throne as He looked at Stephen when he was being stoned. He could have kept him from being murdered. He showed mercy to Saul who gave “hearty approval” to his murder. He saved Saul and he became the mighty apostle Paul! {Read Acts 7:54-8:2}. Scripture says that He was “chosen to suffer,” but God was always in control and using “all things to work together out for good, to those who love Him and are the called.” as He promises! We may not know how, but He promises it will -{Read Romans 8:28-29}. Peter told the believers their inheritance, souls were “kept” a military term that means “guarded, protected,” and this “by the POWER of God!-{Read 1 Peter 1:4-5}. So keep in mind, that no person, calamity, demonic influence is in control, but your God, who personally undertakes for your eternal security! And also know that in this life too, you are provided for everything you need to live Godly in this present wicked age. You have power and Scriptures to encourage you on the Journey and the Spirit of God to guide, strengthen correct and embolden you and point you to the LORD Jesus-{Read Phil 2:13; John 16:13; Ephesians 3:16}, as you live in submission “UNDER the MIGHTY Hand Of God!” -{Read 2 Peter 1:3-4}. The Spiritual resources include The Spirit of God; The Word of God; The Power of God, The Promises of God, the people of God; and the Spiritual Giftedness which God has imparted to you to serve one another-{1 Peter 4:10-11}
5. THE HUMBLE HAVE A HOPE PROMISE;
The Biblical word “Hope,” speaks of a certainty. A future certainty! And Peter assures the suffering ones who submit themselves “UNDER” the authority of God, that He will “lift them up,” some translations say “Exalt you,” and note when, ” at the proper time.” This is important, God who is all Powerful, and in absolute control, who sees your suffering, knows all about you and your circumstances promises as you continue to submit to the process of God’s humbling will in His time. His perfect time intervene and lift you up! This is His promise. In 1 Peter 5:10 we see He says,”After you have suffered A LITTLE WHILE, the God of All grace Himself will…” Notice God has set a time limit on their suffering. ” A LITTLE WHILE,” and then he matures them, having used suffering as a means to accomplish that. Even death is “AN APPOINTED, “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, “-{Hebrews 9:27} All things are “UNDER the Mighty Hand of God,” and He is in absolute control! Always in control, and for the suffering, slandered, anxious ones He gives a Hope Promise,”…HE WILL LIFT YOU UP!” So, what were they do in the meantime? “Clothe yourselves in humility towards one another.” continue to serve, continue to submit to the process of the humbling process of God. Beware of Pride, God Gifts Grace, His empowering to you in your circumstances, and why does God do this and want you to know? “… Because HE cares for you!” – {1 Peter 5:7}
The BENEFITS, BLESSINGS For The Humble;
Humility chooses to SERVES Others
Humility SUBMITS to God!
Humility and Pride are OPPOSITES
In Humility There SAFETY
The Humble Have A Hope PROMISE!
Humility does not mean that God will always save you from suffering but it does mean He will supply grace and all the Spiritual resource you need in time of suffering, anxieties, that He is Worthy of your Trust…He is Powerful enough and …Personally Cares for you!