February 27 - 1 Peter 3:8-9

February 27 – 1 Peter 3:8-9

“Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 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.”

In Galatians 5:22, Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit – those things our lives should show to the world in order for the world to see the Spirit of God working within us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul lists those things that show love to the world: Love is patient, kind, never envious, boastful or proud. Love is not rude, self-seeking, easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. Love always protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres.  Love never fails.

Peter calls Christians together in unity.  A unity that will bring blessing.  This spirit of unity separates Christians from the world, where there is discord and separation.  The world constantly batters at us, attempting to find ways to break us apart.

In this spirit of unity, there is found sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart and a humble mind.  Each of these attributes is set in place so that we never believe we are greater than another and we never attempt to separate ourselves from needing each other.

We are called to bring unity to the body of Christ.  Each of us is important and necessary.  Repaying evil with evil or insult with insult will leave holes that separate.  When evil and insult come … repay them with blessing.

We are called to bring unity wherever we can.  God wants us to be blessed.  He wants to pour out blessings upon us.  It is love which binds us together … love which brings unity.