Step 1: Grasp the Verses in Their Town
The above text wants believers to become humble and respectful. The book of 1 Peter explains why God is opposed to every proud person. The proud person will always dishonor God. The same person will also be ready to harm others. According to the text, pride will make a country fall. The author of the book expects believers to humble themselves under the caring hands of their God. This practice will make it easier for God to support and bless his people. Verse 7 goes further to explain shy Christians should submit themselves to their God. The practice will ensure every believer depends on his or her God1. The two verses also encourage Christians to become true servants of God. This is necessary because God is the one who controls the universe.
Step 2: Measure the Width of the River to Cross
The biblical situation is different from what is experienced in the world today. 1 Peter 5: 6-7 reminds every Israelite to trust his or her God. According to the verses, God is always ready to support them. God is also against arrogant and proud men. He wants his people to become humble and respectful. He wants the Israelites to live in peace with one another. Today things have changed completely. Our world is full of challenges and adversities2. The verses explain why God is the only solution to these challenges and problems.
Step 3: Cross the Bridge
The text communicates a very important theological principle to the reader. The outstanding principle is the “cure of souls”3. The text equips the reader with the best ideas towards living a new life. The bible explains why Christians must respect their creator. It also encourages every Christian to serve God because of his sovereignty. This practice will cure our souls and bring us closer to God’s kingdom. God is always ready to help his people. Christians should accept the fact that God is the only one who can handle their lives.
Step 4: Consult the Biblical Map
The above theological principle supports the other verses in the Bible. Many verses encourage Christians to welcome God in their souls. The Bible explains why believers should turn their eyes and souls upon Christ whenever they encounter different challenges4. The verses are against pride and disobedience. The bible expects every Christian to welcome Christ in his or her soul. This effort will make it easier for God to guide every believer. The above text is relevant because it encourages believers to continue respecting and worshipping God. This is necessary because he is the only one who will set them free. Christians should read the bible in order to understand this theological principle much better.
Step 5: Grasp the Text in our Town
The above text presents a similar message to Christians today. However, the text seems to encourage believers to trust their God whenever they face different challenges. God is the only solution to the challenges and uncertainties existing in our world. The best solution is for every Christian to remain humble and trust in his or her God. Christians should worship Christ alone. We are unable to escape stress, disappointments, and diseases. God will guard and bless every humble person. The text encourages Christians to place their lives under God’s mighty hand5. The practice will make it easier for us to see God’s kingdom.
Bibliography
Bargerhuff, Eric. The Most Misused Verses in the Bible: Surprising Ways God’s Word in Misunderstood. Bloomington: Bethany House Publishers, 2012.
Douglas, J.D. and Merrill Tenney. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 2011.
Strong, James. The Strongest NASB Exhaustive Concordance. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 2004.
Footnotes
- James Strong, The Strongest NASB Exhaustive Concordance (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 2004), 58.
- J.D. Douglas and Merrill Tenney, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 2011), 65.
- James Strong, The Strongest NASB Exhaustive Concordance (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 2004), 74.
- Eric Bargerhuff, The Most Misused Verses in the Bible: Surprising Ways God’s Word in Misunderstood (Bloomington: Bethany House Publishers, 2012), 36.
- James Strong, The Strongest NASB Exhaustive Concordance (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 2004), 72.