Action

"To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen." -1 Peter 5.11

The final word of 1 Peter 5.1-11 carries weight that impacts the entire passage. The word Amen is typically something that we include at the end of a prayer, simply as a closing, but the word actually means something.

"at the end - so it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled. It was a custom, which passed over from the synagogues to the Christian assemblies, that when he who had read or discoursed, had offered up solemn prayer to God, the others responded Amen, and thus made the substance of what was uttered their own."

The word amen is a call to action; when it occurs at the end of the word it means to let it be done. This final word says that we are to get to work living out the previous instructions. We take what has been said beyond simple words and thoughts, and begin putting it into practice. In terms of leadership, we are to begin leading. With humility, we begin to live as discipling disciplers. When it comes to the enemies, we begin to fight, and with suffering we endure.

The teachings of Scripture are not meant to be simple teachings for positive feelings, but life changing actions. Jesus came to transform the way we live, giving us an example through His own life, and then willingly sacrificing His life to empower us to follow His example. The word Amen is not a simply conclusion to a prayer, but a commitment seeking to carry out what was instructed. As the custom stated, by saying amen, you are claiming what was said as your own. When I read 1 Peter 5.1-11, concluding with Amen, I am saying I will lead well, live humbly, fight the enemy, endure suffering, and glorify God.

Let us begin living as lion fighters. Amen.


Fight the lion 1 Peter 5.1-11

TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!