Peter's Principles - Part 4

How should we follow?

We often discuss how we should lead, but today I want to address another question: How should we follow?

I have been discussing Peter’s principles for leaders. But he also gives us some insights into how we should follow. So let’s unpack what Peter has to say in 1 Peter 5: 5-6:

“You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.”

As I read that passage I see three things that ought to characterize me as a follower, and as a leader:

Submission: “Be subject to your elders.” The “S-word” isn’t popular in our culture. We like to be independent and autonomous; yet, God calls us to submit. I think there are two dimensions to this. The vertical dimension involves submitting to God. The horizontal dimension involves submitting to others. Paul echoes this in his letter to the Ephesians when he says “Submit to one another.”

Humility: “Clothe yourselves in humility toward one another.” Submission and humility really go hand in hand. Its all about putting the needs of others ahead of your own. Its about serving others, rather than being self-serving.

Paul says a similar thing in his letter to the Philippians:

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.”

Let God do the Exalting: “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.”

Peter no doubt learned this first hand from Jesus who said, "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Personally, I get annoyed at watching athletes flaunt themselves after every big play. Isn't that what they are supposed to do? Isn't that what the pros are paid to do?

As leaders, and as followers, we do not need to promote ourselves. If we’ve got the stuff, if we are being used by God, people will notice and we will be promoted. We need to ignore the me-first, self-promoting, narcissism of the world and let God do the promoting.

Do your work with excellence and leave the results – and the rewards, and the exalting to God.