I Peter 5:11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Authority
It’s confusing, isn’t it? When no one knows who is in charge, or when someone with no authority steps up to take charge, it can be confusing. In life, there is great clarity when we understand how authority works and who authority is. In I Peter 5 we see a couple elements that help us have a greater understanding of authority, what it is and how it works.
I Peter 5:1 says, “The elders, which are among you, I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed.” In this verse Peter speaks as an authority. He is encouraging and coming alongside these elders. Peter had more authority as an apostle than these men did as elders, but he came alongside the elders as an elder. He could have said, “Look, I’m an apostle, but you are just low-level leaders. I’m a big leader, an apostle. You had better listen to what I say.” He is giving an example of how they are to treat others by the very way he addresses them. This gives us an idea of how God has established authority to work.
In verses 2-4 Peter speaks to authorities. He says, “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint but willingly….” He goes on to give them instruction. The lead idea here is the word “feed.” I am to do the work, but I am to do the work for God and for the flock that He actually owns. This is a service and responsibility.
Peter also speaks as one who is under authority to those who are also under authority. In verse 4 he says, “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” The Lord has delegated to me any responsibility of leadership that I may steward.
Verse 5 talks about how we are to be subject one to another. That comes from humbling ourselves. The result is that we can cast our care on the Lord. No matter how much responsibility you may bear, when you place yourself under authority, there is always someone to whom you can appeal, a place to cast your cares.
Verse 11 wraps up this passage by saying, “To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” God’s authority is absolute, not delegated; it is eternal, not temporary, and any authority we steward is but an extension of His authority.