Restored to Humility

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 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. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 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. She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ. - 1 Peter 5:1‭-‬14 ESV

Help the younger in the faith

Help them for themselves. Not under compulsion.  Not because you are forced to do so. Do not do it for selfish glory or ulterior motive, but out of love. Build a foundation of trust with them. Walk alongside them in patience. Be an example to those who are new to the faith and the young. To the younger, be subject to the elder. Desire good authority.

Humble yourself before God

It is easy to be humble with those who are better than you. God is the greatest. Yet, he humbled himself before mere men. This is the humility of God. Humility is the willingness to serve others sacrificially. Are you willing to serve in a way that costs you something? If not, perhaps we need to look again at the cross.

Be sober minded

Be free from confusion and improper passions. Do not become intoxicated with your own abilities and talents. How can you tell? How often and feverently do you pray? If not, then you may trust yourself more than God. Or perhaps you are intoxicated with the things of this world. You are distracted from the invisible, eternal things. The devil is waiting for a time of weakness to attack. We are to be vigilant and watchful. He doesn't tell us to flee the devil, but to resist. To resist in the faith that we have. The lion attacks by separating the weaker from the body. We are to be a warm and welcoming community. To remain in fellowship with one another. This life is short, it will pass.

Peter is not saying we have a choice. Humility happens to you by the grace of God. He will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. Peter knows failure. He is the one who refused to let Jesus wash him. The one who denied Jesus three times. The one who struck the soldier who came to arrest Jesus. When Jesus restored him, Jesus tells Peter to feed his sheep. Three times. The chief Shepherd, Jesus, is the one who restored, confirmed, and established Peter. We have all these things through the cross.