"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:8-9 (NIV)
The Apostle Peter encouraged the believers to live in harmony, to be sympathetic, to be compassionate, to be humble, and to love one another as brothers. By being a blessing to each other they would receive a blessing themselves.
The concept of "being a blessing to others and then receiving a blessing," is not a new one. Peter may have been paraphrasing Proverbs 11:25 which states "he that watereth shall himself also be watered." As Christians, we are to treat our fellowman with love and compassion. We are to be sympathetic to the plight of others, and humble in our dealings with them. Jesus said that as we treat our brothers, we are doing it to Him. (Matthew 25:40 and 25:45) So let us be very careful about how we treat each other. Treating others in a non-Christian way may cause us to miss out on a blessing.
Showing posts with label harmony. Show all posts
Showing posts with label harmony. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Monday, May 7, 2012
Be A Blessing And Inherit A Blessing
"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:8-9 (NIV)
Writing to "the pilgrims", the scattered Christians now strangers in a land that is not their own,
The Apostle Peter provides them with instruction on how to live honorably before unbelievers, before fellow believers, and in the midst of suffering.
We would do well to also follow these guidelines for Christian living. Because of their words and actions, some people are just plain hard to love. However, we must learn to live in harmony with all of God's people. We need to be sympathetic when sympathy is needed, compassionate when comfort is needed, and to be humble and loving at all times. We should show Christian love to others regardless of what is displayed to us. How do we bless folk who are not kind to us? We pray for them, speak well of them (find something good to say), and pray for their salvation and well being. By doing that, we will be blessed.
Writing to "the pilgrims", the scattered Christians now strangers in a land that is not their own,
The Apostle Peter provides them with instruction on how to live honorably before unbelievers, before fellow believers, and in the midst of suffering.
We would do well to also follow these guidelines for Christian living. Because of their words and actions, some people are just plain hard to love. However, we must learn to live in harmony with all of God's people. We need to be sympathetic when sympathy is needed, compassionate when comfort is needed, and to be humble and loving at all times. We should show Christian love to others regardless of what is displayed to us. How do we bless folk who are not kind to us? We pray for them, speak well of them (find something good to say), and pray for their salvation and well being. By doing that, we will be blessed.
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