May 4, 2017 (Thursday)
At the end of this blog you will find a copy of 1 Peter 3:8-12, in which the great apostle gives us some pointers on how to live a good and happy life. It has a lot to do with how we relate to other people as well as God. Here are a few of the ideas he put forth in those verses:
I. Try to get along with others (verse 8, “like-minded”). Try to see things through the other person’s eyes. As Paul said in Ephesians 4:3, “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” I like the old Native American prayer, “Grant that I may not criticize my brother until I have walked a mile in his moccasins.”
II. Feel for people (verse 8, “be sympathetic, compassionate”). When you see a suffering person, say, “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” When Jesus saw Jerusalem, he wept aloud, because he felt for them and the penalty they would pay for their rejection of God’s will. The apostle, Paul, chimes in with “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
III. Love one another (verse 8). This means a love of equals, without any hint of condescension. No partiality (Romans 12:9). William Penn’s statue stands atop Philadelphia’s City Hall, reminding everyone that the word, Philadelphia, means “brotherly love,” which Penn exhibited and taught.
IV. Subdue your pride (verses 8-9). Resist the temptation to return insult for insult. Humble yourself. Repay evil with a blessing, just as Jesus taught us. When you bless others, you are blessed yourself.
V. Be a blessing to others (verse 9). Memorize and say to others, “May the Lord bless you and make you a blessing.” Look for the words, “Then Jesus came,” in the gospels and you will always find the verses which follow show how Jesus always was a blessing to others.
VI. Think before you speak (verse 10). I once saw a sign on a wall: “Engage brain before putting mouth in gear.” If you want to love life and see good days, refrain from negative speech.
VII. Avoid evil (verse 11). Do good instead. Evil is like a contagious disease, it infects others. Paul said, “Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good” (Romans 12:9).
VIII. Pursue peace(verse 11). Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called ‘the sons of God'” (Matthew 5:9). The Bible says, “As much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men.”
In conclusion, remember “the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (verse 12).
1 Peter 3:8-12 (NASB)
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
10 For,”whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech”.
11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”