1 Peter 3:8-11
“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For ‘He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.’”
As this portion of Scripture in 1 Peter reminds us, Christ desires us to live our lives having compassion for one another, loving those around us, and being tenderhearted and courteous. This purposeful way of life should be the heart and goal of every believer. This is easy to do for those we love, but how do we respond to someone who is unpleasant or who treats us unkindly? Peter exhorts us to not only have the character of Christ among fellow believers, but to even repay evil with kindness and insults with grace.
Choosing to live for Christ is an active, daily decision. The flesh attempts to justify our sinful actions and cause us to think we are in the right; however, the Christian is called to pursue peace. This means we are not to live according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Paul writes in Romans 8:9a, “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.” There is nothing we can do without the Spirit. It is only through Him and by Him that we can strive to be like Christ, having genuine love for those around us and living at peace with one another.
Today, ask the Spirit to give you the ability to live like Christ and to exemplify His character to those around you. Then watch Him give the opportunity to live out what you have asked for.
– Pastor Jack
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