Victory in Jesus
1 Peter 5: 6-11
We have considered much in our time moving through Peter’s first epistle. Being aware of their struggles, Peter addressed their need while challenging them to remain steadfast in spite of the opposition they faced. He knew the world was watching their lives, desiring to see how they responded to adversity. Regardless of the situation, they were expected to live in a way that revealed the transformation they had received through Christ.
We are much removed from those to whom Peter wrote, and yet many similarities remain. We too face challenges and struggles in life. Like the saints of old, we are expected to remain steadfast in trials, portraying a positive witness for the Lord. So, all of this begs the question – how does one overcome adversity and remain influential in a culture that is opposed to everything we hold dear? There is only one way, and that is through the guidance and provision of Christ. Apart from Him, we will suffer defeat and discouragement.
As we wrap up our time in First Peter, I want to discuss the final admonitions he shared, as we consider: Victory in Jesus. In order to overcome, we must abide by these admonitions.
I. Our Submission to God (6) – Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. In reality, this admonition is a continuation of the previous verse. Believers must be willing to humble themselves before the Lord, submitting fully to His will in order to overcome and enjoy victorious Christian life. We must realize our dependence upon the Lord – He is God, and we are not. He is omniscient and omnipotent, seeing and knowing all, while possessing the unrestrained power to move in our midst and secure victory in our lives.
Through being willing to humble ourselves before the Lord, we are promised that in His time, and according to His divine will, He will exalt us. Peter did not mention such provision to foster pride or arrogance, but to provide assurance. Many in his day suffered greatly for their faith, being marginalized and suppressed in society. The world had little, if any use for believers. However, their hope and provision were not tied to this world, nor was it dependent on the world’s provision. God has a plan for every believer, and in His time, His plans will be fulfilled. Granted, some would not experience much improvement in their lifetime, but God had not forsaken nor abandoned them. As they entered His eternal presence, these would enjoy the gracious, unending provision of God throughout eternity. (1 Peter 1:3-9)
II. Our Affirmation in God (7) – Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Peter shared one of the greatest promises for the believer in all of Scripture. We are encouraged to cast all of our care upon the Lord. This speaks of our worries and our anxieties, those issues and burdens that trouble our spirit and hinder our joy. Those insecurities that keep us up at night, the cares of life whatever they may be! We are encouraged to bring those unto the Lord and cast them upon Him. We are to lay them at His feet and leave them there. He invites us to bring our burdens unto Him so He can take our heavy load and bear it for us. Matt.11:28-30 – Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Peter revealed the confidence we have in such a precious promise – the Lord cares for us! This reveals that our Lord is genuinely interested in our lives; He is concerned for us; He cares about the burdens we carry, and wants to lighten our load. We are assured that even if no one else is aware of concerned with our need, we have a Savior who is always aware and interested in providing all we need to be victorious in Him.
III. Our Opposition from Satan (8-9) – Here Peter addressed the source of every believer’s conflict. We all must deal with an adversary who seeks to defeat and discourage those who desire to serve the Lord. In order to deal with our adversary, we must know how he operates. Notice:
A. The Aggression (8) – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Peter described the devil in language that is familiar to most Bible students – he is like a roaring lion, walking around in search of those he can devour. We have all heard the lion described as the king of the jungle, the dominant animal within his realm. It is no wonder Peter described the devil in similar terms. The early believers were familiar with the ferocity and deadly nature of lions, having seen or heard of Christians being forced to face them in the Coliseums for sport and ghastly entertainment of the Romans. The enemy is not a cartoon character to be dismissed. He is real and actively works against those who seek to serve the Lord.
Facing such an adversary, we are admonished to be sober and vigilant. The word sober means more than refraining from excessive drink or substances that hinder sobriety. While it certainly does refer to refraining from such drink and substances, it also carries the idea of being watchful and observant. This goes hand in hand with being vigilant, referring to what one would expect. We must keep a watchful eye out for the attack of the enemy. He is continually seeking those he may devour. We must be wise to his tactics and remain alert for his attacks. Also, remember the law of first mention. Satan was first described as being very subtle. He likes to work behind the scenes in deceptive ways. We cannot afford to let our guard down for a second. He seeks any and every opportunity to attack.
B. Our Determination (9) – Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. Peter revealed the means by which we overcome the enemy’s attack – we resist him in the faith. We are to stand against the enemy and oppose his advances. While we are instructed to flee the lusts of the flesh, we must stand firm in the faith in order to overcome the devil. Simply, we must not give in to his suggestions or succumb to his attacks. Being subtle, he will present situations in a way that seem appealing to entice us to sin, just as he did with Adam and Eve in the Garden. We must resist such suggestions, repress evil thoughts, and remain steadfast in our faith. Jam.4:7 – Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Lest we think we have been singled out for attack, Peter reminds us that all believers face the same afflictions. The struggles and trials we face are not new to our generation and they are not specific to our lives. We are certainly not the first to face such opposition and we definitely won’t be the last. 1 Cor.10:13 – There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
IV. Our Provision from God (10-11) – As Peter concluded this final admonition, he revealed the provision we have from the Lord which enables us to abide faithful while resisting the devil. Consider:
A. The Stability (10) – But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. Peter reminded believers that they were not left alone in this world apart from any external assistance. Their lives were kept by the power and grace of God, which would sustain them in this life and into eternal glory with Christ Jesus the Lord. This world had rejected their faith, persecuted them because of their faith, but God had not forsaken them. In the midst of their suffering and trials, they could rest in the marvelous grace of God.
While it was difficult to consider and imagine in their present circumstance, Peter also assured them that their sufferings were actually beneficial. Through their struggles, God would restore them, establish them firmly in the faith, strengthen them, and settle them in the midst of chaos. Let’s examine this a bit closer. The word perfect has the idea of “restoring, fitting or joining together.” The Lord would place them within the body of Christ in their proper order and location. The word stablish means “to make steadfast, firm, and solid – fixed firmly in the faith.” He had promised to strengthen them, referring to “filling one with all strength, strength to endure and overcome the trials and suffering of life.” He also promised to settle the believer, “to secure within a foundation, to ground with security.”
B. The Excellency (11) – To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. As Peter concluded this final admonition, he drew their focus back to the excellency and supremacy of the Lord. The provision and blessing they needed would be provided faithfully by the Lord. He would see them through the trials and suffering they faced. The enemy had power, but the Lord is sovereign over all. They had nothing to fear in Christ. The Lord was worthy of their praise, receiving all the glory for the victorious lives they would enjoy through His gracious provision. John MacArthur said, “Though no longer issuing commands in this section of the chapter, the apostle is still framing Christian thinking and a godly disposition, which submits to spiritual leaders and humbles itself before God so as to be exalted in due time. Such an attitude also casts every care on God; exercises self-control, vigilance, and fortitude in His strength against the Enemy; all the while maintaining hope that the process of suffering will perfect believers on earth and bring them heavenly reward.”
Conclusion: We have read a portion of Scripture that many are familiar with, and yet it continues to bring hope and strength to our lives. If we will but humble ourselves before the Lord, casting all of our care upon Him, He will provide the guidance and strength we need to overcome and enjoy victory in Him. If you are struggling today, I encourage you to seek the help and provision of the Lord. If you are unsaved, you do not enjoy His daily provision. Why not respond to His gracious offer of salvation by coming to Him in repentance and faith?
