When I was growing up, all churches had pews. They were long wooden benches that were not cushioned; therefore, the seats were hard. If it was a good day at church, you were packed into those pews, allowing no room to move. Now, we have pews with cushions, and some are even curved to fit the body to some degree. A lot of churches now have chairs. They are not only cushioned on the bottom, but the entire chair is a comfy place to sit, allowing you your own space. Times have greatly changed the way the church looks and the comforts it brings with the look. However, the responsibilities for those of us who are in the pews have not changed. In I Peter 5:1-4, he explained some of the duties of the pastor, and now, he turns his instruction to those of us who are in the pews.
He starts by telling us to submit to those who are the ministers of our church. He calls us younger, which would indicate the pastor to be one of maturity. He may be older than most of the congregation, but he should also be spiritually more mature than those in the pews. God has placed them in that position, and they are not to be novices or recent converts. I Timothy 3:6 “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” Therefore, we are to submit to their leadership and authority in our lives. We are to give due respect and reverence to them, to yield to their admonitions, reproof, and authority. Scripture requires us to act in this manner to those we call pastors. Hebrews 13:17 “Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”
This instruction to submit goes against the very fiber of our flesh. Our flesh wants to be our own boss and make our own decisions based on our own likes, dislikes, and knowledge.
So, how do we yield to spiritual authority and follow with the right attitude? We humble ourselves. The next phrase, “clothed with humility,” is a Greek word found nowhere else in the New Testament. It is a phrase referring to a long white apron with strings to bind around the body from the neck down. It was an outer garment worn by slaves. It was to denote a humble mind or attitude to the master. Slaves were not to assume a style or dignity or position of authority that would indicate they were superior to others, but they were willing to do whatever would honor their master. The slave’s clothing indicated not only their position but also their attitude. In Dr. Robinson’s commentary, he states, “It is known that not a few of the early Christians actually sold themselves as slaves, in order that they might preach the gospel to those who were in bondage.” These early Christians were more concerned about the souls of men than they were about their own status in life.
Humility is a necessary attribute for all Christians. We attain this attitude by coming to grips with the fact that we are nothing on our own. We deserve hell for sinning against a Holy God, and it is only by His grace that we can attain anything!
I Peter 5:5-7 “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
If we live in the light of humility, not thinking anything of ourselves, God will take care of us. He will exalt us at the proper time and place. As the saying goes, “We are not to toot our own horn.” If God wants accolades sent our way, He will direct them. We are not to seek them. This is to be the attitude of all who sit in the pews. It is to be an attitude toward our pastor, fellow church members, and God.
I can’t imagine being a pastor of the average church member today. We think way too much of ourselves. We want something and believe that our wants should dictate what we have. If people don’t treat us the way we think we deserve, we write them off and move on to someone else. We even foster the next generation to be proud because we are constantly telling them how proud we are of them and how great they are. We seek to please ourselves, and we are teaching our children to do the same. We have lost the attitude of humility, and we do not desire to gain it. But, without it, we are nothing like Christ.
Are you in the pews seeking to soak up all you can gain from the preaching of the word, or are you bidding your time, analyzing every word, and tossing aside what you don’t want? Are you a humble servant or a proud pew sitter?
