- Live as a soldier: (5:8-9): A soldier looks at the enemy in 3-ways:
- He respects the enemy: because he has the power to destroy him. Similarly Satan is our adversary a dangerous enemy. He is a serpent who can bite us when we least expect it. He is a destroyer (Rev.12:11). He has great power and intelligence, and a host of demons who assist him in his attacks against God’s people (Eph. 6:10 ff). He is a formidable enemy; we must never joke about him, ignore him, or underestimate his ability. We must “be sober” and have our minds under control when it comes to our conflict with Satan. A part of this soberness includes not blaming everything on the devil. Some people see a demon behind every bush and blame Satan for their headaches, flat tires, and high rent. While it is true that Satan can inflict physical sickness and pain (Luke 13:16; and the Book of Job), we have no biblical authority for casting out “demons of headache” or “demons of backache.” Ex: an electrician working on the live wires is always aware of the dangers, yet he successfully completes the repair.
- Recognize him: He is a great pretender (Jn. 8:44; 2 Cor.11:13-15). Because he is a subtle foe, we must “be vigilant” and always on guard. His strategy is to counterfeit whatever God does. According to the Parable of the Tares, wherever God plants a true Christian, Satan seeks to plant a counterfeit (Matt. 13:24-30,36-43).
- Resist him: This means that we take our stand on the Word of God and refuse to be moved. (Eph. 6:10-13). Unless we stand, we cannot withstand. Our weapons are the Word of God and prayer (Eph. 6:17-18) and our protection is the complete armour God has provided. We resist him “in the faith,” that is, our faith in God. Just as David took his stand against Goliath, and trusted in the name of Jehovah, so we take our stand against Satan in the victorious name of Jesus Christ. Both Peter and James give us the same formula for success: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (Jam.4:7). Before we can stand before Satan, we must bow before God. Peter resisted the Lord and ended up submitting to Satan!
Live in Hope (5:10-11):
Peter called all believers to undergo suffering which is only for a short time. Our salvation is because of His grace (1:10). He called us before we called on Him (1 Peter 1:2). We have “tasted that the Lord is gracious” (2:3), so we are not afraid of anything that He purposes for us. His grace is “manifold” (4:10) and meets every situation of life. As we submit to Him, He gives us the grace that we need. In fact, He is “the God of all grace.” He has grace to help in every time of need (Heb. 4:16). “He giveth more grace” (Jam. 4:6), and we must stand in that grace (5:12).
Our present suffering is only for a while. Our various trials are only “for a season” (1 Pet. 1:6), but the glory that results is eternal. Paul had this same thought in mind when he wrote (2 Cor. 4:17). These little troubles which are only temporary are winning for us a permanent, glorious, and solid reward out of all proportion to our pain. We know we are going to glory. He has “called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus.” This is the wonderful inheritance into which we were born. Whatever begins with God’s grace will always lead to God’s glory (Ps. 84:11). If we depend on God’s grace when we suffer, that suffering will result in glory. The road may be difficult, but it leads to glory, and that is all that really counts.
The word makes you “perfect” means to equip you, to adjust, to fit together.
The house founded on the rock withstood the storm (Matt.7:24-27). A believer who is equipped by God will “continue in the faith grounded and settled” (Col. 1:23). He will not be “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14).
When an unbeliever goes through suffering, he loses his hope; but for a believer, suffering only increases his hope. “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Rom. 5:3-4). God builds character and brightens hope when a believer trusts Him and depends on His grace. The result is that God receives the glory forever and ever. With this Peter ends the message of the letter asking the believers to be ready to face the fiery trial.
Benediction: (5:12-14)
Silas, whom Peter considers a faithful brother, has helped Peter write this letter. Peter concludes the letter “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (5:14). We must keep in mind that the men kissed the men and the women kissed the women. It was a standard form of greeting or farewell in those countries at that time, just as it is in many Latin countries today. How wonderful that Christian slaves and masters would so greet each other in Jesus Christ!
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
- NIV Life application Bible.
- ESV Study Bible
- Ryrie study Bible.
- NIV Study Bible.
- Bible Knowledge Commentary/Old Testament.
- The Bible Exposition Commentary by Warren W. Wiersbe
- Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary.
- Adam Clarke’s Commentary
- Wycliffe Bible commentary.
- Mathew Henry conscise
- Blue letter Bible by David Guzik.
- Unlocking the Bible by David Pawson.
- The outline Bible by Harold L Willmington.
Note: Please use this notes only as an outline, but spend more time studying the Word of God. For your questions, suggestions, and criticism, please contact me. Kati Ravikumar, Mob: +918986873994, Email: katiravikumar@gmail.com