Sharing in the Joy of Others
June 20, 2022
Commentary
Many of life’s problems are caused by wrong words spoken in the wrong spirit. Peter exhorts us to: (1) Have unity of mind. Unity is not uniformity. Unity is cooperation despite diversity. (2) Have compassion. Compassion or sympathy means to have a sincere feeling for and with the needs of others. (3) Have love. We ought to love because God loves us (1 John 4:11). (4) Have tender hearts. Don’t let anything harden your heart. (5) Have courtesy. Humility is the foundation of courtesy, as the humble person puts other ahead of himself.
Verses 10 through 12 are actually a poem quoted from Psalm 34:12-16 that sums up a life of righteousness. The person who wants a truly happy life, enjoying all God’s blessings, must turn away from evil in both word and deed. Conflict may be just around the corner, so believers had better be prepared. Peter gives four principles needed on our worst days:
1. Deliberately decide to love life: We can choose to endure life as a burden or we can enjoy life, knowing that God is in control. A “bad” day by the world’s standards can be a “good” day for Christians.
2. Control the tongue: Wrong words spoken in a wrong spirit led to all kinds of trouble
3. Hate evil and do good: It’s not enough to avoid sin because it’s wrong; we must shun it.
4. Seek and pursue peace: If we go out looking for trouble, we are sure to find it, but if we seek peace, we can find it as well. Christians need to exercise moderation as they relate to people, not creating problems when they can’t get their own way (Matthew 5:9; Romans 12:18.
Application
As a Christian I can live on one of three levels. I can return evil for good which is the satanic level. I can return good for good which is the human level. Or I can return good for evil, which is the godly level. On which level am I living?
1 Peter 3:8– 12 (NET)
8 Finally, 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.