363. Peter’s Exhortation to the Elders

“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly.”

An individual’s sinful nature will always assert itself—even among the elders. There are many individuals in the flock who are stubborn and disobedient, so it is not an easy task to shepherd the flock. But those who are chosen to be shepherds must do it for the sake of their faith and their conscience. Because of this, it is easy to see how the ministry of a shepherd can feel like a burden and an obligation when situations get difficult. Peter says, “Do it willingly!” Willingness is possible when our love for God and the brothers is so great that the sinful tendencies in our life are overcome by God’s love for His flock—His flock that has a flesh to bear and must be helped by the elders with more experience.

“Nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”

Imagine that such a wretched trait as lording over the flock lies in the flesh of these eldest brothers. We must get these tendencies under our feet by the light, grace, and power of God, so that our example is a paradigm of how everything should be. If a person is an example for the flock, it should be made clear to young people that it is not possible to come to this life without the cross and self-denial. This shared understanding in the light and knowledge of God will lighten the load of the elders to a considerable degree.

“Not for dishonest gain but eagerly.”

The elder brothers are people, and their need to provide for their family can be a concern for them. And then the inclination to serve for the sake of dishonest gain can arise. Their own flesh and family pressures can seem so overwhelmingly strong that sinful lusts are exposed. It is vital to stand against sin, so that the willing heart comes to the foreground and wins victory over the “dishonest gain.”

To be made perfectly competent for the work of the ministry is the greatest of all. That is why the greatest promises are for such elder brothers. In addition to everlasting life, they will receive the “imperishable crown of glory” on the day when the Chief Shepherd is revealed.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

It is possible for an elder brother to come into a state where he is not sober. He is not vigilant! For instance, he stands and speaks the Word of God, and it goes well. He gets enthusiastic and speaks of things he does not have light over. He believes he is a prophet, and then the others in the church become exceedingly small to him. He stands as if on the top of Mount Carmel and sees no one as great as himself. He is intoxicated and speaks as one who is not sober. He is not one of the least. No, he is the very greatest, and everyone gets to hear about it. The nature of an intoxicated man is big and strong, and this is exactly what happens to an intoxicated, indulgent elder. You would not believe it, but experience shows this is just what happens if a person is not vigilant; he roars like a lion. A new convert cannot do this, but an elder brother can, if he believes he has a position in the church.

“Your enemies roar in the midst of Your meeting place; they set up their banners for signs. They seem like men who lift up axes among the thick trees.” Psalm 74:4-5.

In such a case, it is our adversary the devil who has roared through an elder brother who has not been sober.

Let us take careful heed to sobriety so we do not fool ourselves and come into Satan’s ministry, even for a short time of drunkenness.

Yet the greatest and most precious promises have been given to the elder brothers who take care of the flock. Read Luke 12 from verse 42:

“And the Lord said, ‘Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?

“‘Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.

“‘Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has.’”

He will receive the “imperishable crown of glory.”

This is an urgent appeal for us to diligently care for what God wants us to care for.