In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” – 1 Peter 5:5
We are always able to humble ourselves in life. Though many situations in life are hard, difficult and cause us great grief and hurt we still can humble ourselves. We have a beautiful picture of Church leadership that the Lord desires in shepherds that are under the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. The shepherds are told to “serve, not lording over” and then when Jesus comes he will reward all faithful shepherds who humbled themselves to serve people. A picture we can have in our minds is of putting yourself “under” someone or something. In situations where we are right but still humble yourself in a way to say though I was right, perhaps my motives were wrong or I did not serve you as best as I could. This picture of humility in christian leaders is carried over into the life of the body of Christ, where all members of the body should submit to each other.
Peter the Apostle mentions the obvious that younger people should submit to those who are older in the Church. It is easy as younger believers to think we can do things better or faster and at times we do not understand reasons why things were setup as they were. If as young people we are willing to humble ourselves we will not only understand the wisdom of older believers but also healthily continue the work of God they started. Lastly, the Apostle encourages everyone to have humility and to humble themselves. This bending the knee and serving each other in the body of Christ not only brings more unity and healing but it enables us to be pleasing to God. For the verse continues that if we start to go on the road away from humility it is the road to being proud. Pride fosters and grows in an environment of being hurt by another person, such pride says I will not admit I was wrong, I will seek to correct this situation myself. Sadly, we can find ourselves in a place where God opposes us because we are going the opposite way he went as Jesus went to the cross humbly to help others and not defend himself. Follow the way of Christ in the Church and great healing and unity will prevail.
