1 Peter 5:1-2 Lead others, not out of duty, but of........

Good and Glorious morning to you all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!  Jesu Jevu!

  1 Peter 5:1  The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

  Peter is talking to the elders (which you should take this attitude upon yourself) and is asking them, almost demanding, to step up.  He is saying they were witnesses and were able to enjoy the glory of Christ.  Now elder means a person of spiritual maturity and wisdom - this SHOULD BE you and me. Step up!

  Peter, in person, actually saw the sufferings of Christ and the resurrection.  We, too, are aware of this, through our studying of the scriptures and our personal relationship with Christ.  We, too, have experienced spiritual revitalization, albeit in a different time and mode.
  ² Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

   Read this first phrase - FEED THE FLOCK OF GOD which is among you!  What does this mean to you?  King James says to Feed the Flock; NIV says we are shepherds of the flock.  As a shepherd it is important that we OVERSEE and FEED the sheep.  We have to tend to the spiritual feeding and guiding of the flock.  This is for all of us - whether a pastor, elder, deacon, lay person, or member - it is our position in the body of Christ to feed and tend to the flock.

   Then it continues on to say we should do this willingly, not for money or bribes, nor out of obligation,  but out of love and concern for the spiritual flock.  We should always be open and willing to do God's work.  All we do for God should be honest and open and all for the glory of God.

   Thank you for reading. Love you all.

Soli Deo Gloria

Johnny