Be A Blessing

TEXT: 1 Peter 3:8-12 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9 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.

"Finally..." v.8

What Peter has been doing since Chapter 1 - is telling the Elect (God's chosen people) who are foreigners in this world (Strangers, Aliens, Exiles), how to live among various groups of people. (How to live for Heaven in a world that's gone to Hell)

Peter was calling Christians to live above the muck... to be a light in the darkness... to be God's priesthood of believers who live to help people escape the darkness so they walk in the Light... in fellowship with God.

In 2:13–17 he addressed Christians as CITIZENS (in exile) and told us how to relate to GOVERNING AUTHORITIES (even corrupt governing authorities).

In 2:18–25 he spoke to SERVANTS (slaves) and told them how to relate to their MASTERS (Bosses) (even harsh masters).

In 3:1–6 he spoke to Christian WIVES (married to unbelieving husbands) and showed them how they should be with their husbands (especially to their UNBELIEVING HUSBANDS).

In 3:7 he spoke to HUSBANDS about living wisely and considerately with their WIVES.

And now, v. 8 sums it all up. "Finally, ALL OF YOU, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble."

THIS is how the Church should be. THIS is how Christians should live.

5 TRAITS OF A CHRISTIAN

1. Be HARMONIOUS "...live in harmony with one another"

Note: The fact that Peter instructs us to do this - means it's not natural. It's not easy. We must be intentional.

We all have different gifts... different tastes... different habits. The Church is beautifully diverse.

But the church SHOULD BE harmonious (Like a symphony), BECAUSE JESUS CHRIST is our Conductor.

2. Be SYMPATHEITIC

Feel what others feel. Be sensitive to their needs... their struggles... their fears... their emotions.

Q. “Do I really understand their perspective? What hurt is behind it?

Ill - POLITICS: Why do certain political messages resonate so deeply with them?”

I’m not saying you have to agree with them, but sympathy means you at least try to see things through their eyes.

Q. If you are on the opposite side of some other believer with some issue, can you state their opinion in a way that would fairly represent their view?

I’m not saying that you agree... but I am saying they’re human, and they need Jesus. We can’t minister to one another if we never take the time to understand where they are coming from.

3. Be FAMILY "...love as brothers"

NOT strangers. NOT insignificant. NOT mere acquaintances.

Be a family. Be there for one another. Do life together. Make memories with one another.

4. Be COMPASSIONATE

This is NOT about your conduct - but about your heart (your insides...Your innards).

The literal translation in the Greek is to "feel generous in your belly" (if that's helpful).

It is the exact opposite of hypocrisy (that ACTS compassionate). Don't act compassionate. Don't fake it. BE compassionate.

5. Be HUMBLE

One of the chief causes of disunity is a bunch of people thinking they’re right about everything. ‘Often wrong, never in doubt.’

If I were to look back 5 years - I can see I was wrong - ALOT! Maybe that should evoke some humility.

Christians should be HUMBLE. We are all unworthy sinners, saved by grace, redeemed and bought with his blood, we live to serve Christ.

We are honored to serve Christ... to be his humble servants. And part of our service to Christ is to humbly serve one another.

Let us be humble.

ALL of these traits are about our souls (our insides) - not our conduct (not how we act).

MORE...

1 Peter 3:9 says, "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."

Then it goes on: (v.10-12) For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 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.” (Psalm 34:12-16)

CONTRAST: The Culture of Hell:

1. Repays evil for evil.

2. Return insult for insult (slander, defamation, mockery, lying, destroy a reputation)

3. Tongue that speaks evil and deceit (lying, fraud, deceitful, crafty)

4. Do evil against God (defiant... disobedient... rebellious)

The Culture of Heaven:

1. Unity & harmony