1st Peter 5:5. “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”
BE SUBJECT ONE TO ANOTHER. I don’t always have to insist others do what I think is right – And because I’m older, think the younger’s work is trite – Nor should I ignore the calls when I’m in bed at night – Every saint deserves my respect.
I may not agree with all the older ones on every point – What some younger folks do tends to put my nose out of joint – However, God knew what He was doing when the Spirit did anoint – Every one of us to be servants of His.
To those who are older and experienced, I will gladly submit – When it comes to things I wonder about, they’ve already done it And I’ll show respect and subjection, for I believe it is fit – Every one has his or her role to fulfill.
May my pride never keep me from hearing what the young people say. They’re of a newer generation; I’m from a far different day – By watching and asking questions maybe I’ll learn more of the way – Every generation has their strengths and weakness.
If all of us together show respect, dignity and humility –
Then all of us could live and labor together in real harmony – And being subject to one another would help us live happily Every one appreciating the strengths of the others.
“Father, I have to admit there are times I am unduly critical of the patterns and practices of the younger generation. And I also know there have been times when I have been critical of the resistance to change of the older generation. Please forgive me, Father, and allow me to mingle with joy and appreciation among Thy family without a critical spirit. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
The reward of shepherds is in the future. "The crown of glory" never fades because the evidence will be seen in the eternal kingdom wherever God's people serve Him. What we learn here from those who lead us, will equip us for the service the Lord will give us in the future. This particular crown is unique to the shepherds because they will receive it from the "Chief Shepherd" who gave His life for the sheep. He gave His life when He died for them. Shepherds give their lives by living for the sheep under their care. They are stewards who are caring for those who belong to the Chief Shepherd. Such a privilege it is to be entrusted with the stewardship of a living, fruitful flock.
In the same way spiritual leaders are subject to the Chief Shepherd, younger believers are to submit to their shepherds. We are to submit to them like citizens submit to the government, employees to employers and wives to their husbands. Now the younger, are to submit to those of advancing years. Young people have a tendency to act first before careful consideration of a matter and the outcome. Pride can keep older people from trying to understand young people, and it can keep younger people from paying attention to or listening to older people. It is right for us to respect those who are older than us, and it is right for us to listen to those who are younger than us. In this way we can learn from each other.
Humbling ourselves in the sense of being "clothed," demands submission and obedience. To try to humble someone else ends in us humiliating them. Among the people of God in an assembly, the right attitude is the opposite self- serving. Humility toward others includes humility toward God. He resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. That principle was not new to those who read the book of Proverbs and perhaps had heard the letter from James. Our position and status are not something to worry about. God's recognition is what counts and in His own time, either now or in the future, He will lift us up. God's timing and His blessing go together. He expects us to recognize His care, our own need and His ability to meet that need. That means we let Him take our worry, stress and struggles and deal with them in His own way. We need to submit to Him who controls circumstances rather than to the circumstances themselves. Assemblies of God's people have been placed by the Lord so that we can help one another and when needed can "bear one another's burdens." God is faithful in His care for us and uses whatever means is necessary to handle our worries according to His will, not ours.