Living in Harmony

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Opening Prayer

God–Father, Son, and Spirit–abide with me throughout today.

Read 1 Peter 3:8-22

^[8] Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. ^[9] Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. ^[10] For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. ^[11] They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. ^[12] For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” ^[13] Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ^[14] But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” ^[15] But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ^[16] keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. ^[17] For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. ^[18] For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. ^[19] After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits- ^[20] to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, ^[21] and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ^[22] who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand-with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Meditate

I need a life overflowing with grace poured out from the One who gave everything, that I might show the power of love to a broken world.

Think Further

Peter now turns from specific groups of people to all of his readers, urging them to work at their relationships. He stresses several qualities essential for fellowship between believers–sympathy, compassion, humility, peace and a careful guard on the tongue–qualities advised today in many counseling manuals. Peter advocates relational maturity: readiness to hear the other person, no manipulative gossip and no angry, defensive responses to criticism or insults. A gentle answer does defuse a situation (Prov. 15:1,4), and people who are able to absorb the outbursts of others and patiently help them back to equanimity are vital in any community. They are also rare!

In relationships with people outside the faith, we have to be ready, whenever asked, to defend the faith verbally. But more important than having the right answers is having the right attitude. Respect for opponents is vital. I remember as a Christian postgraduate student debating with a hostile philosophy lecturer. His points were weak, so I easily dismissed them–and humiliated him. I won the argument, but lost the battle. Rather than drawing him to Christ’s love, my insensitivity and disrespect wounded and distanced him further. It was a long way from Christ’s precedent of loving people, even dying for them, to bring them to God.

Christ’s death focuses our relationships, yet death does not have the last word. Our salvation culminates in Christ’s resurrection and glorification, anticipated in two unusual references here: one to Christ preaching to the dead (as in The Apostles’ Creed: “he descended into hell”), the second to the flood and baptism. When our hearts acknowledge Christ as Lord, we are more able to allow his resurrection power to penetrate our relationships and deepen our love for other people.

Apply

How is it possible to live a life as outlined in verses 8-12?

Closing prayer

Lord, even in difficulties, deepen my ability to witness clearly and fearlessly to Your truth, and expand my love and sensitivity towards other people.

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