The Cross
This passage from 1 Peter 5 cannot be understood apart from bearing the cross, which is any hardship that comes from believing the Word of God. There are many afflictions that come along in the life of most people, but the cross means those difficulties which are the result of being a Christian.
One seminary student gave as an example of the cross - "doing homework." That is an affliction for some but not the cross.
The Christians of the Apostolic era were a definite minority, not protected by the Roman Empire. Rome honored every god but the One True God and considered Christians a branch of Judaism, those people who had to be crushed for trying to become independent in the Zealot war, about 40 years after the resurrection of Christ.
Our friend was dating an Eastern Orthodox Christian who said, "I cannot see you anymore, because you are indifferent about the unborn." That shocked him so much, as an M.D., that he reconsidered his attitude and became pro-life. When his academic boss expected him to contribute to a fund that was anti-life, our friend refused and said why. That caused all kinds of difficulties and he ended up leaving a prestigious job, but got another one because of his ability.
I mentioned the Apostolic era because we have returned to the status of the Roman Empire, a pagan culture where Christians are routinely persecuted just for standing up for their beliefs. That is not only true in denominations and synods, but also in public life. The easiest course is to pretend the articles of the Faith do not exist and anyone can choose whatever is appealing at the moment. That works for district presidents, district supervisors, bishops, and cardinals, but that is not what the Apostles learned from the Savior.
Refusing the cross is the same as disbelieving the Word of God, because Jesus Himself blessed the cross when He said, Matthew 5 KJV
"11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
Faith in Christ means welcoming the cross as the best and most true sign of adhering to His Word. In time, that can be seen as a blessing, though it never feels like a blessing at the time. If it were, Jesus would not call it the cross when He said, "If you are not willing to take up the cross daily, you are not worthy to follow Me."
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KJV 1 Peter 5 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:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
