1 Peter 5:5-7
“Priority of Life: It’s a Choice”
“Priority of Life: It’s a Choice”
Introduction: Life is full of choices! Every step of our life is a choice. From things to eat this morning to things to wear this afternoon are all abound to decision and choice. Actually, many options to choose [to make a choice] in life is not the problem of life—it’s a component of life and even is blessing!—but to make the right and proper choice is the risk that we’re taking on. As one single wrong decision can cost our whole life, one single correct choice can also save our life and even change our whole future. To trust God always and put His will (and agenda) first in our lives is a choice that we have to make on daily basis. It’s a choice!
Pride of Youthful Strength Vs God’s Grace to the Humble (v. 5): Full growth of power and strength is the sign of youthfulness. Therefore, youth are active, dynamic, and capable to perform many extraordinary things in life. This fact, however, leads many to undesirable end on another side—i.e., strife, revolt, activism, arrogance, etc.—if not properly controlled. This is the point of Peter in encouraging young men in the church to be humble and submissive. However, the implication is not only for the youth of this age-group (16-25). It is also for us all—who are still very youthful in showing of our self-competency [strength, education, position, wealth] instead of humbling ourselves before God, who graces the humble [by giving up all ‘ours’ and coming near to God as nothing]. Which one should we choose today, God’s grace or our arrogant strength?
Men’s Strife for the Best/Top Vs God’s Honor at Due Time (v. 6): Do you notice a truth of life—we always strive but never catch? Actually, God alone has the right to give us a ‘catch’ (cf., Rm. 9:14-16). So, it is better to be humble down before God, waiting for His “due time”, than making busy ourselves by striving without avail. Actually, since God has His own “due” time for us, to be humble before Him is the most restful way and surest way to success. And God’s “due time” means nothing except the time when we can really rely on His strength, taking away all our arrogant self and strength. In another sense, this is ‘being humble [nothing] before God’. That’s the very hour, in which God approves us for success in life, promotion in business, and healing in our family by the help of His mighty arm-strength (calming down all our storms and waves). Let us choose to take rest under His mighty wing by casting away all big “I” that only makes us tired and busy.
Our Anxiety for Life Vs God’s Personal Care (v. 7): Too much self-centeredness is the root-cause of our anxiety! In fact, ‘to cast away our anxiety’ requires to put off our big self away and to change our attention/concentration/focus from the big “I” to the great “God” who cares. So, the Bible gives us a proper direction when we cast our anxiety that is ‘toward’ God like we roll the ball to next person in playground. It’s the time to roll the ball to God, our next person, quickly less the enemy may overpower and we lose the game!
Personal Application:
Pride of Youthful Strength Vs God’s Grace to the Humble (v. 5): Full growth of power and strength is the sign of youthfulness. Therefore, youth are active, dynamic, and capable to perform many extraordinary things in life. This fact, however, leads many to undesirable end on another side—i.e., strife, revolt, activism, arrogance, etc.—if not properly controlled. This is the point of Peter in encouraging young men in the church to be humble and submissive. However, the implication is not only for the youth of this age-group (16-25). It is also for us all—who are still very youthful in showing of our self-competency [strength, education, position, wealth] instead of humbling ourselves before God, who graces the humble [by giving up all ‘ours’ and coming near to God as nothing]. Which one should we choose today, God’s grace or our arrogant strength?
Men’s Strife for the Best/Top Vs God’s Honor at Due Time (v. 6): Do you notice a truth of life—we always strive but never catch? Actually, God alone has the right to give us a ‘catch’ (cf., Rm. 9:14-16). So, it is better to be humble down before God, waiting for His “due time”, than making busy ourselves by striving without avail. Actually, since God has His own “due” time for us, to be humble before Him is the most restful way and surest way to success. And God’s “due time” means nothing except the time when we can really rely on His strength, taking away all our arrogant self and strength. In another sense, this is ‘being humble [nothing] before God’. That’s the very hour, in which God approves us for success in life, promotion in business, and healing in our family by the help of His mighty arm-strength (calming down all our storms and waves). Let us choose to take rest under His mighty wing by casting away all big “I” that only makes us tired and busy.
Our Anxiety for Life Vs God’s Personal Care (v. 7): Too much self-centeredness is the root-cause of our anxiety! In fact, ‘to cast away our anxiety’ requires to put off our big self away and to change our attention/concentration/focus from the big “I” to the great “God” who cares. So, the Bible gives us a proper direction when we cast our anxiety that is ‘toward’ God like we roll the ball to next person in playground. It’s the time to roll the ball to God, our next person, quickly less the enemy may overpower and we lose the game!
Personal Application:
- What things cause me too busy not to make proper time to pray to God, read the Word, and meditate on His unfolding goodness to me on daily basis?
- What recent problem or new plan is being drawn in my life, my family, my business? How can I ask and find God’s timely help in that hottest or burning situation?
- How does God want me to live in my school, office, and business this week?
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