Lesson 20: Purpose for being set apart – for victory

Read 1 Peter 5:1-14- https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1pe.5
 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son.
14 Greet one another with the kiss of love


The second purpose for being set apart is for victory. Our first verse today says we are to humble ourselves before God so when His time is right He can exalt us. What does it mean to be humble? It does not mean that we are worthless.

*Read each of the following verses from Proverbs, and write down the words which are listed as contrasting or opposite of being humble: 3:34, 10:8, 11:2, and 18:12.

Verse 8 above gives us one example of being humble – being watchful for an enemy attack. The picture is of a soldier knowing the enemy is about to attack, so he is focused on what is around him, aware of where the enemy might be hiding and waiting, and planning each moment how he will defend himself and his fellow soldiers from what is about to happen. He is not caught by surprise when the attack comes.

Verse 9 explains how we defend against the attacks of the evil one. James 4:7 says this too – we are to resist the attack. We are to stand strong and shove back with Scripture, as Jesus did. But remember, our purpose here on earth is not to defeat Satan – he is already defeated by Jesus’ victory on the cross and His resurrection. Our mission here on earth is to minister to those who have not heard about Jesus or do not yet believe in Him.

Verse 10 is our promise of eternal glory in ultimate victory when we finally stand before our King and Savior, Jesus Christ. The victory is already assured; all we are responsible for is helping those along our way who need help meeting Jesus so they too can share in the victory.

The last verses of this letter are a reminder that we are not alone in our mission to touch those who need our help. There are those who are close to us as brothers and sisters in Christ. There are those who might be far away in other countries, but who also belong to Him – and we labor together where God has placed us. Though we do not know those far away, we love them because they are in the family of God along with us.