1 Peter 5:1 - Dead Weight

“To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed.” As Peter begins to wind down his letter, he challenges specific people within the body of Christ. He begins with the elders – the spiritual leaders of the church. Before I go into Peter’s specific instructions, I want to mention a couple of things from his introduction. First, I find it interesting that he simply calls himself a fellow elder. While Peter was an elder, more accurately, he was the head elder…and the leader of the church. Interesting indeed… Second, he further identifies himself (as if he needed to) by saying that he was one who witnessed Christ’s suffering. In other words, Peter is saying that he is an apostle without saying that he is an apostle. Apostles were those who were personal witnesses of Christ’s live and death on earth. He doesn’t even mention that he was one of the twelve. Third, Peter says that he will also share in the glory to be revealed. Back in chapter 4, Peter taught that those who share in the suffering of Christ will also share in His glory. So Peter is stating that he has suffered for Christ without saying that he has suffered for Christ. In all three instances, Peter is identifying himself without boasting of his credentials or experiences. He is leading with humility which is a big change from the brash Peter we read about in the gospels. From the gospels to this book, God did an amazing work in Peter’s life – taking his boldness and transforming it from a fault into a strength. Peter was still a bold leader, but it had been tempered and reshaped by humility. Of course, Peter had to allow God to do that work in his life. He had to be submissive and obedient and permit God access to his life. We don’t like to do any of those things do we? We don’t like to be submissive or obedient, we don’t like to permit God access to our lives, and we definitely don’t like to be told we are doing things wrong. But if you want God to transform you that is exactly what you must do. Is God doing a work in your life? Lynda and I feel like we are experiencing a season of pruning in our life. He is challenging us to step out in faith in various ways and calling us to leave behind some things that perhaps we don’t necessarily need in our lives. It’s not an easy thing because these are things that we like and aren’t really wrong in any way. We are trying to respond by saying, “Yes, Lord,” instead of, “Why, Lord?” Not always the easiest thing to do… Are there parts of your life that God needs to prune? Things you watch? Things you listen to? People you hang out with? Places you go? Things you do? Do those things glorify God? Do they edify your spirit? Do they help bring others into relationship with God? If not, perhaps they are dead weight that simply holds you back from the things God has for you. I challenge you to think and pray about those things… “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” – Hebrews 12:11