To Sum It Up ... (1 Peter 3:8-12)

Today’s scriptures: 1 Peter 3:8-12

Like a great attorney summing up his case, Peter recaps much of his previous exhortations. And what a recap it is. And far from easy. Read through the list of things we’re commanded to do. And then read it again.

We’re to be “harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit.” Now sometimes, this is very easy. I can live in harmony with the nice guys, with my good friends. But this verse doesn’t say “only with those you like.” In fact, Peter makes it pretty clear. We’re not to be “returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead …”

Not easy at all. It’s really hard to “turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:39; Luke 6:29). That’s what we’re commanded to do, however. Why? Well, first, because we’re commanded … But God, our good Father, loves to bless His children. And He’ll bless us for “keeping our tongue from evil,” which includes saying nasty things about others. He’ll bless us for seeking and pursuing peace.

Peace. All of us, at all times, with all people. 

And Now for You, Men (1 Peter 3:7)

Today’s scriptures: 1 Peter 3:7

Yesterday, I addressed Peter’s exhortation for wives. Today, Peter talks to husbands. Now I know some take issue with the “someone weaker,” but that’s not what I want to focus on. There are a couple of key commands that may, for some of you wives out there, make submission a bit easier.

Husbands are commanded to live with their wives “in an understanding way …” One of the definitions for “understanding” is “friendly or harmonious relationship” according to Webster’s dictionary. Husbands are to live in harmony with their wives. Harmony speaks of unity, tranquility, smoothness.

Then comes a very important commandment: Husbands are to “show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life.” Two things here: honor equals esteem, but more importantly, we wives are “fellow heirs” of God’s grace. God doesn’t look at gender (Galatians 3:28). We are equal in His eyes as we’re covered by His grace and mercy.

Therefore, as wives show respect to their husbands, husbands are to honor their wives as they recognize our equality in God.

This is what makes marriage work: mutual love, mutual respect.

No Divisions Among You (1 Cor. 1:10-17)

Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.
(1 Corinthians 1:10-17, NASB)

Division among Christians has been an issue since the beginning of the church, and it’s heart-breaking. We who follow Christ should be examples of unity and harmony, love and compassion.

Instead, we fight over non-essentials like real wine or grape juice, or sprinkling or immersion. Even worse, just like in Paul’s time, we get caught up in whose pastor is better or more eloquent, or which church is bigger.

Heartbreaking.

And how it must break the heart of our Lord as well. Jesus came to bring life and truth (John 14:6). He came to heal the brokenhearted (Luke 4:18). He came to save us from our sins and bring eternal life (John 3:16).

We who have received such amazing gifts should be grateful and strive to live as Christ did. And that would not include divisiveness. We need to love each other. We need to help and serve each other. We need to be brothers and sisters, living only to bring glory to our Lord God.

So why isn’t this how we live?