1 Pet. 3:8-12: Give a blessing to others

Harmonious living
8 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, affectionate, compassionate, and humble.
9 Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing.
10 For the one who wants to love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from uttering deceit.
11 And he must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer. But the Lord's face is against those who do evil.

v. 8: - "To sum up..." - Peter concludes his instructions on inter-personal relationships in the church.

"harmonious, sympathetic, affectionate, compassionate, and humble " - A guide for Christian living, both in the Christian community and in the world. See Matt. 5:2-12,38-48. With the blessings that you and I have in store, we should be overflowing with blessings for others, no matter what their attitude, we can love by faith. By the phrase "in store", I do not mean "pie in the sky, bye and bye" (an old phrase, indicating the riches waiting for us in heaven.). I mean that you are in Christ, and Christ is in you, right now as you live and breathe, all the riches and mercy God has shed on you is available to be shed on others through your life. He came that we might have life and it abundantly. (John 10:10) That abundant life is to be shared with others that they may see, hear and believe. This is not a secret stash, hidden and waiting for you alone (well, it is, kinda) but a blessing that is offered to everyone.

1. Harmonious - The church members should be of the 'same mind', coming to agreement on issues that come up. This is more than 'agreeing to disagree'. The church members need to pray that God will bring their hearts together. No back-biting, no carping and gossiping behind the leaders' backs. Compare this to James 4:1-5.
2. Sympathetic - It was said of the Israelites "they turned a stubborn shoulder, stopped their ears from hearing, and made their hearts like flint" (Zech. 7:11-13). They did this to avoid hearing what God had to say. The heart like flint prevents us from feeling or sharing an emotional attachment with another person. When they are suffering, or in pain, we need the capacity to feel along with them. We are not to stand off and say, "Wow. That's a bummer." As an example of how we should act, see Job 2:11-13; 6:14.
3. Affectionate - Love one another, just as Christ loved you. This is a prime command for believers. See: John 13;34, 35; 15:12,17; Rom. 12:10; Gal. 5:13; 1 Thess. 4:7; 1 Pet. 1:22; 1 John 3:11.
4. Compassionate - Compassion is sympathy put into action. Your heart is moved from feeling and sharing the same emotion as another to moving and doing things that will help or alleviate the other person's situation. Christians are called to be compassionate. See: Matt. 9:36, 14:14, 5:43-48. God's move to save us is based on His compassion for us. (Lam. 3:22) He 'saw' that we are incapable of working our way to Him, so He provided a bridge over the chasm that separates us from Him. That bridge is the cross. God moved to free Israel from Egypt based on His compassion for their plight. See: Exo. 34:6; Hos. 6:6; Mic. 6:8
5. Humble - Do not think more highly of yourself than your ought to think. Remember, there is nothing you have done, or can do that will pay for your sin nature. Only the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior can provide eternal life. You have nothing to brag about. It was done for you. The price was paid. There is no reason for you to think that now you are better than others, better than those sinners and heathens that have rejected Jesus. He died for them also. See Php. 2:3.

v. 9: - "Do not return evil for evil..." - This is the opposite of 'eye for an eye, or a tooth for a tooth'. Compare: Lev. 24:17-22; Deut. 19:17-21 with Matt. 5:37-48; Prov. 20:22; 24:29; 25:21f; Rom. 12:20,21. If we are plotting revenge ("a dish best served cold") the spirit of forgiveness is not in us. The God who saves you is not out to get you, even though you deserve to be 'gotten'.

"instead bless others because..." - The example has been set before you: God has the right and the reason to vent wrath upon you, the sinner, and does not. He is merciful to you. Why do you think you need to get your own revenge? You are saved because God loves you. His love and forgivenss should fill you. You are to get the blessing of eternal life, of living with Jesus and god the Father.

v. 10-12: - "turn away from evil and do good" - Part of the blessing of being a child of God is we can live in peace, by not making waves. We are to make peace, and abstain from any form of evil. See: Psa. 34:12-16; Psa. 37:3; Isa. 1:16, 17; Matt. 5:9; 1 Thess. 5:22.

"The eyes of the Lord" - Thers is nothing that can be hid from God. (Heb. 4:13) He is always on the lookout for those who do good, and especially for those people whose 'hearts are truly His' (See: 2 Chron. 16:9) The blessing of the Lord is upon the believer. (Num. 6:24-26). Let that blessing be reflected off your countenance to those around you, even your enemies. This is a tall order. It is not doable under your own power, only by letting Jesus live in and through you.

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