1 Peter 5:5-7 (NKJV) Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Christians are not exempt from suffering in this broken world, but we can take comfort in the fact that God has not forsaken or abandoned us. There will be times when we feel anxious, bogged down by cares, stressed out, and depressed, even as we walk out God’s will for our lives. When we are unsure whether we are walking in His will, pressure builds in our minds and hearts, and doubt and unbelief can affect us. Nevertheless, we can take comfort that God is with us and for us.
Pride can blind us because it tends to make us think too highly of ourselves. Lucifer thought he was more beautiful, more powerful, and more worthy of worship than God. Therefore, the devil’s work is evident when pride is present in our lives, and our downfall will be imminent if we do not deal with it promptly. Lucifer was cast down to the earth to await the final judgement. Therefore, it would be wise for us to learn from his lesson.
We should be humble and teachable because God loves us deeply. He knows that in this world we will have troubles and tribulations, and He wants us to cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us. He has said it clearly in the opening passage. God wants to give you grace in life and impart His blessing and favour to you; He wants to strengthen you, make you complete and establish you.
Standing grace is the grace God gives us to stand in faith and live the Christian life. When God gives us standing grace, He gives us ability for the various areas of our lives. Whatever you need to know, be or do, God wants to grace you in such a way that you have His supernatural ability in that area, whether it be your work, homemaking, children’s education or your spiritual life. Without grace, we will eventually burn out and resent the very things we once loved.
God will use our circumstances to help us grow and mature as Christians, but we need to remember that He will not impose His will and ways on us, because He has given us free will. He will allow the situation to humble us and teach us life lessons. Sometimes the lesson can be heavy and difficult because of the choices we have made, but it will humble us and help us to start listening to Him.
Reflection: Can you identify areas of pride that may be hindering you from receiving God’s guidance and the counsel of others? How will you respond in repentance so that you may grow in humility and teachability?
Sermon Series: Are You Casting Your Cares to the Lord
谦卑，受教的心
彼得前书 5:5-7 你们年幼的，也要顺服年长的。就是你们众人也都要以谦卑束腰，彼此顺服，因为“神阻挡骄傲的人，赐恩给谦卑的人”。 所以，你们要自卑，服在神大能的手下，到了时候他必叫你们升高。 你们要将一切的忧虑卸给神，因为他顾念你们。
基督徒在破碎的世界中并不能免受苦难，但我们可以得着安慰，因为神绝没有撇下或丢弃我们。 即使在行出神对我们生命的旨意时，我们有时仍会感到焦虑、被重担压垮、压力沉重、甚至陷入忧郁。当我们不确定自己是否行在祂的旨意中时，我们的心思意念就会产生压力，怀疑与不信也会乘虚而入。然而，我们可以得着安慰，因为神与我们同在，且帮助我们。
骄傲会使我们眼瞎，因为它往往让我们高估自己。 路西弗曾自以为比神更美丽、更有能力、更配得敬拜。因此，当骄傲出现在我们的生命中时，魔鬼的作为就显而易见；若不及时对付，我们必定面临跌倒。路西弗从天上被贬逐到地上，唯有等候最终的大审判。因此，我们若能从他的教训中引以为戒，才是智慧之举。
因着神深深爱我们，我们应当存心谦卑，常存受教的心。 祂知道我们在世上有苦难与患难，祂要我们将一切的忧虑卸给祂，因为祂顾念我们。正如在开篇经文中所清楚揭示的，神要在你的生命中赐下恩典、福份与恩宠；祂要亲自坚固你、成全你、建立你。
“站立的恩典”是神赐给我们、使我们能凭信心站立并活出基督徒生命的恩典。 当神赐下站立的恩典时，祂就将能力赏赐在我们生活的各个层面。无论是你在职场、操持家务、儿女教育还是属灵生命上，凡是你需要明白、成为或去做的事，神都愿意如此恩待你，使你在该领域拥有祂超自然的能力。若是没有恩典，我们最终必会心力交瘁，甚至对当初所热爱的事物产生怨恨。
神会藉着环境来熬炼我们，使我们在基督里长大成熟。但我们必须记住，祂绝不会将祂的旨意和道路强加在我们身上，因为祂给了我们自由意志。 祂会容许环境来使我们谦卑，并教导我们生命的功课。有时，因着我们自己所做的选择，那些功课可能显得沉重而艰难，但这会使我们谦卑下来，并帮助我们开始遵守祂的话。
默想： 你能察觉到有哪些骄傲的层面，正阻碍你领受神的引领与他人的劝戒吗？你将如何悔改回应，好让自己在谦卑与受教的心中不断成长？
讲章系列：你是否将你的忧虑交托给主？