Harmonius Living
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12 The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, 13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming. 14 The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose way is upright; 15 their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
Harmonious Living
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8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
Introduction
Here is Peter’s conclusion to the topic submission, which he introduced in 2:13. In this conclusion he delineates how Christians ought to live; therefore, he gives them a pattern for Christian conduct.
Notice that at both the beginning and the conclusion of this topic Peter addresses all the readers. Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and the Epistle of Jude (Vol. 16, p. 126). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
Unity
Sympathy
Love
Tenderness
Humility
1. Unity
1. Unity
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1 Peter 3:8 (ESV)
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
Live in harmony with one another.” In the Greek, the text has the reading [be] like-minded. Does Peter mean that all Christians have to think in the same manner? No, not quite. Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and the Epistle of Jude (Vol. 16, p. 127). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
In view of the variety of gifts and talents God has given his people, differences of opinion exist. Peter, however, wants Christians to be governed by the mind of Christ, so that differences do not divide but rather enrich the church. Therefore, he exhorts the believers to “live in harmony with one another” (compare Rom. 12:16; 15:5; Phil. 2:2). Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and the Epistle of Jude (Vol. 16, p. 127). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
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Romans 15:5–6 (ESV)
5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
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10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
Sometimes we don’t like the truth; sometimes, because of our background or circumstances, we can’t see the truth; and at other times, because of ignorance or laziness, we can’t grasp the truth. The alarm bells ought to start ringing, though, if we find that our take on the truth lacks the support of those committed to the authority of the Bible over the centuries. Thomson, A. (2016). Opening Up 1 Peter (p. 90). Leominster, England: Day One.
2. Sympathy
2. Sympathy
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
Sympathy’—feeling the same thing—is something that we can, and must, work on. It involves the ability to put ourselves in the place of others to understand how they see things and how they must feel. Thomson, A. (2016). Opening Up 1 Peter (p. 90). Leominster, England: Day One.
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15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
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3. Love
3. Love
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
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22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
If we struggle to be glad for those who are knowing blessings of one sort or another, the likelihood is that we will also struggle to sympathise with and support others through tough times. Putting others first doesn’t come easily, but it’s what is needed. Thomson, A. (2016). Opening Up 1 Peter (p. 91). Leominster, England: Day One.
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
1 Let brotherly love continue.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.
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18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him;
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4. Tenderness
4. Tenderness
(Compassion)
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
“Be compassionate.” In the Greek, the word translated “compassionate” is far more descriptive. It depicts feelings that appear to come from our inner parts (literally, our intestines), especially when we observe the suffering which another person endures. Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and the Epistle of Jude (Vol. 16, p. 127). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. 14 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
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32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
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5. Humility
5. Humility
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
Humility is a virtue Jesus taught when he washed the feet of his disciples (John 13:4–17). Jesus set the example of selfless service by his willingness to be the least in the company of his disciples and to be the servant of all. Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and the Epistle of Jude (Vol. 16, p. 127). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
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4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
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6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
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8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
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3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.
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5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
Conclusion
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8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
O for a closer walk with God,
a constant, heavenly calm;
a light to shine upon the road
that leads me to the Lamb!
2. Where is the blessing that I knew
when first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul-refreshing view
of Jesus and his word?
3. What peaceful hours I once enjoyed!
How sweet their memory still!
But they have left an aching void
the world can never fill.
4. The dearest idol I have known-
however much adored-
help me to tear it from your throne
and worship you as Lord.
5. So shall my walk be close with God,
my mind serene and calm;
so purer light shall mark the road
that leads me to the Lamb.
William Cowper 1731-1800
Praise 811
Not to us be glory given
but to him who reigns above:
Glory to the God of heaven
for his faithfulness and love!
What though unbelieving voices
hear no word and see no sign,
still in God my heart rejoices,
working out his will divine.