FRIDAY, JANUARY 6
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1,2

1 Peter 5:1,2 says, “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;…” It is interesting that, when we come to verse 2, Peter gave a command. The command was in the verb that was used: poy-mah-ee-no. Poy-mah-ee-no means, ‘The flock of God which is among you.’ Peter said, “Look – you have the responsibility to use the authority that has been bought and paid for by the Lord Jesus Christ. The Jesus of Revelation gives us a ‘He Himself…He Himself…’! You are a pastor with a rod of iron and you should demonstrate the judgment of God!” Peter made it clear that they should not lord it over those entrusted to them, but should give an account when the Chief Shepherd appeared. I would not want to face the Chief Shepherd, having never picked up the rod of iron and having never attempted to bring the fullness of God’s Kingdom and having forfeited a whole generation through passivity. Surely it is time for the church to arise!