Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5
5Likewise, you who 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.”
Observations:
To those who are not old– be subject to the elders. All of you: the elders and the younger: Put on humility. “clothe yourselves”. toward one another. God is against the proud. God gives grace to the humble.
Application:
The ancient world did not value humility on a broad scale. Even today there are cultures and people that do not value humility. John Dickson argues in Humilitas that valuing humility broadly in our culture is a Christian development.
Hubris or pride is antithetical to the life God wants for us. Humility opens the door to God’s grace and actually enlarges a person in their influence and their capacity to love well.
The problem with pride is that we are usually not conscious of it. I reek of it and don’t know it, because its the “odor” I’ve gotten used to. So the Word of God asks us to develop a new habit in response to the Gospel. In our relationships with those who are older and with those who are younger we must make a decision to “put on humility” toward each other.
The younger person thinks the older people don’t know anything.
The older person thinks the younger people don’t know anything.
Ah, humility. Humility says I can learn from you, younger and older. Humility says, I can let you know the truth about me, younger and older. Humility says, I am looking for God’s grace in my relationships with you because of the incredible hope and potential of the power of Jesus Christ unleashed in your life through the Gospel.
Listen to John talk about humility and his book.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I don’t want to just play dress up when it comes to humility. Grant me the wisdom to appreciate your mercy and grace shown me in the Gospel of Jesus. Fill me with your Spirit. I need you to change me from the inside out. Help me learn from others, both younger and older today. AMEN.
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