As we move forward in 1 Peter, we see Peter start to address the pain and suffering that we see the world living in.
As Peter talks about being like-minded, sympathetic, love one another, compassionate, and humble, he is speaking for us to BE this. Not just say the words, but make them a part of their existing.
When you exist in harmony or of like-mindedness, what does that look like? If we speak of music, does it mean that everyone is singing the same note? No. It means that even with different notes, the listener hears a unified score.
When Peter speaks of sympathetic, he simply means that we are to pay attention to the people around you and don’t dismiss them. Sympathy then leads to loving one another.
Compassion is a action of showing up in the time of need. And compassion leads to humility where when we act on love, show compassion in whatever way, we are not then pointing back at ourselves for some sort of reward or recognition.
We can also see Paul reflecting Peter’s wisdom in and . We are to work together to bring the love of Christ to those around us.
Peter moves on with a negative contrast to loving one another. Our natural instinct is to react to evil with evil, or insult with insult. But we are called to respond (instead of react.) Peter then calls us to repay evil with blessing. This is a wrong stance from the world’s perspective, but from God’s perspective this is the ultimate way to make an impact. What it means to be a blessing is to express your identity in God in the midst of evil. When evil is paid with evil, the cycle grows and grows. God calls us to break that cycle. Because it is most difficult to see God’s redemption if evil grows.
If you have ever been in a hard situation, you know how easy it would be to react. It can show up fast. But when we live our lives as a blessing in the calm times, we are preparing ourselves for those unforeseen situations. When they do show up, we now have the strength to be a blessing in the midst of evil.
Peter then quotes that calls us out to seek peace and keep away from evil in our lives. It even says that God is against those who are evil. Why would we want to live in a place that is against God? We wouldn’t, so we must be attentive in our own lives, live life with like minded Christians, and then bless those around us even if in the midst of evil.
Are you living life with other like minded Christians?
Are you in a place where you can be a blessing to people and situations that need it?
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. (ESV)
5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, (ESV)
2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. (ESV)
9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. (ESV)
10 For
“Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
11 let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (ESV)
34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
11 Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
and his ears toward their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
21 Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned. (ESV)