Those who live by the Spirit in prayer, love, hospitality and spiritual gifts see God’s glory as they participate in Christ’s suffering. They are then equipped to shepherd His flock and receive the crown of life while experiencing exaltation, restoration and strengthening through humility and standing firm in the faith.
Live in the Spirit By Obeying Preached Gospel
People should arm themselves with Christ’s attitude toward suffering because He was done with sin, not living for evil human desires, but the will of God. Worldly people abused those who did not live in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. Everyone must give an account to God since He judged the living and the dead. For this reason, the gospel was preached so they might live according to Him in the spirit (1 Pet. 4:1-6). Live in the spirit by obeying the preached gospel.
Glorify Christ Through Prayer, Love, Hospitality and Spiritual Gifts
Because the end was near, they should be clear minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer. Loving deeply covered a multitude of sins, including offering hospitality without grumbling. By faithfully administering God’s grace through their spiritual gift, they spoke His words and served with His strength for the praise, glory and power of Christ (1 Pet. 4:7-11). Glorify Christ through praying, loving others, offering hospitality and exercising your spiritual gift.
See God’s Glory By Participating in Christ’s Suffering Obeying the Gospel
Instead of being surprised about painful trials, they should rejoice about participating in Christ’s sufferings when His glory was revealed. They were blessed when insulted because of Christ’s name since the Spirit of glory and God rested on them. They should praise God instead of being ashamed about suffering as a Christian. If judgment began with the family of God, what was the outcome for those who did not obey His gospel? If it was hard for the righteous to be saved, what about the ungodly and the sinner? Those who suffered according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator in doing good (1 Pet. 4:12-19). See God’s glory by participating in Christ’s sufferings as you obey the gospel.
Receive Crown of Glory By Shepherding God’s Flock
Peter witnessed Christ’s sufferings and appealed to his fellow elders who also could share in His future glory. They should shepherd and serve God’s flock willingly and eagerly as overseers. By not being greedy for money and lording over those entrusted to them, they were examples to the flock. When the Chief Shepherd appeared, they would receive the eternal crown of glory (1 Pet. 5:1-4). Receive the crown of glory by shepherding God’s flock willingly and eagerly as a witness to Christ’s sufferings.
Experience Exaltation and Restoration by Humility and Standing Firm
Young men should be submissive to their elders in humility. God opposed the proud, but gave grace to the humble. He lifted them up in due time when they humbled themselves under His mighty hand. They were to cast their anxiety upon Him because He cared for them. Their self-control and alertness allowed them to see the devil who prowled like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. They resisted him by standing firm in the faith knowing their brothers experienced similar sufferings. Afterward, the God of all grace who called them to His eternal glory in Christ restored and brought strength, firmness and steadfastness. Silas helped Peter write brief and encouraging words to stand fast in God’s true grace (1 Pet. 5:5-14). Experience exaltation, restoration and strengthening by humility and standing firm in suffering.
Ask God for the filling of the Holy Spirit so you can pray and love others while practicing hospitality and spiritual gifts in suffering and seeing His glory. Ask how and who He wants you to shepherd to be exalted, restored and strengthened.
