General Instructions for Christian Living
General Instructions for the Christian Life
1 Peter 3:8-12
Introduction:
Last week we saw Peter’s instructions for husbands and wives
Rob mentioned afterwards that he prefers to use the word ministry as opposed to responsibility
In this passage Peter gives some general responsibilities for the Christian life
I. How we are to treat other believers 8-9
1. Be of one mind: Idea is that of unity
Have a common outlook, a common goal and purpose
Not exhorted to uniformity: we are different like the parts of our bodies, yet we need to strive for one purpose
Romans 12:16 “Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
Romans 15:5-6 “Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2. Have compassion for one another
Romans 12:15 “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”
3. Love as brothers
Important to remember that we are part of the same family
People do thing for their family members that they won’t do for anyone else
The family relationship is important
4. Be tenderhearted
Some translations say “be pitiful”
Let your bowels yearn over the distressed and afflicted.
5. Be courteous
Some read “be humble”
Pride easily gets in the way of true love
6. Be blessed v. 9
Not rendering evil for evil or railing for railing.
See 1 Cor. 4:10-16
As much as this seems impossible, it is only with the right perspective and with the support of our family!!
II. How to live life without regret vv. 10-12
Idea of “live life and see good days”
Not speaking of one who wants to live a long life, but instead:
1) One who wants to live a fulfilled life
2) One who can look back and see that he had had a fruitful and fulfilled life
Like Paul in 2 Timothy 4:6-8
1. Be careful what you say v. 10
Chorus: O be careful little tongue what you say
Tongue can be the best thing in the world or the worst
1) Keep your tongue from evil
Anything that causes harm or injury
James 4:11 “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.”
We need to stop and think about what we say and how we say it
2) Keep our lips from deceit or guile
Anything that is meant to mislead people
Matthew 5:37 “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”
We get ourselves in more trouble with our lips than anything else
2. Be careful what you do v. 11
1) Turn away from evil (eschew)
Shun, avoid, lean out from
Not see how close we can come without doing wrong
Example of T.O. rooms at BOCES: Kids leaning over lines
2) Turn to that which is good
We need to let our actions = what we are on the inside
Bible tells us that we are salt and light
3. Seek after peace and pursue it
Goes along with verse 9, 2:21-24
Seek after implies that it is not easy, we have to work for it
Comes from the unity that we talked about earlier
Pursue it = chase after it with all that is in us
III. Encouragement to do these things v. 12
1. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
God is aware of all that takes place in our lives
He sees when we fall short, but He is also there to help in our need
2. His ears are open to our prayers
1) Idea of God bending down to listen
2) Idea of eager to listen
3. His face is against those that do evil
1) The reason why we are not to strike back
2) God will deal with those who do evil
3) We are to commit evil doers to Him
Close with Psalm 34