1 Peter 3:8-12
Today’s Passage: 1 Peter 3:8-12
As Paul lands the plane from this section on interpersonal relationships (submission to authority, husbands, and wives), he generalizes his approach with the statement “finally, all of you!” I don’t anticipate this is intended to be read with the same attitude of a parent who is a little perturbed by the constant bickering of their children (“seriously, all of you, stop!”), but it does go to show that Peter is no respecter of persons when it comes to holy living. It applies to every single follower of Jesus. And here are his commands to us:
LOVE EACH OTHER!
And herein lies the reason we are to do such things: for to this you were called.
These are simple markers of Christian practice and aren’t unique to a certain group of believers. As he already qualified: “all of us!” should portray these.
Then, Peter finishes with an exhortation from Psalm 34:12-16 as a reminder that the call on us is generations old, still binding, and good for those who obey it. Peter quotes David to tell us that if we seek to emulate Jesus, there are some promises along the way.
(Drew’s paraphrase of Psalm 34:12-16)
If we want to make the most of our time here and glorify God, we should speak well, repent well, serve well, and seek well; for God sees us, hears us, and will set His face on those who desire Him.
All of us!; this is what we are called to. As difficult as it may be at times, this is the life of Jesus revealed in the scriptures and the very life we are to take up as we follow Him. Love each other, even if it’s hard.
Written By: Drew Dukes
As Paul lands the plane from this section on interpersonal relationships (submission to authority, husbands, and wives), he generalizes his approach with the statement “finally, all of you!” I don’t anticipate this is intended to be read with the same attitude of a parent who is a little perturbed by the constant bickering of their children (“seriously, all of you, stop!”), but it does go to show that Peter is no respecter of persons when it comes to holy living. It applies to every single follower of Jesus. And here are his commands to us:
LOVE EACH OTHER!
- Have unity of mind (don’t only think of yourselves)
- Sympathy (feel as others feel)
- Brotherly love (as family cares for each other)
- A tender heart (soft towards others)
- A humble mind (eager to serve others rather than self)
- Don’t repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling (remember the Golden Rule)
- Bless (be good to others)
And herein lies the reason we are to do such things: for to this you were called.
These are simple markers of Christian practice and aren’t unique to a certain group of believers. As he already qualified: “all of us!” should portray these.
Then, Peter finishes with an exhortation from Psalm 34:12-16 as a reminder that the call on us is generations old, still binding, and good for those who obey it. Peter quotes David to tell us that if we seek to emulate Jesus, there are some promises along the way.
(Drew’s paraphrase of Psalm 34:12-16)
If we want to make the most of our time here and glorify God, we should speak well, repent well, serve well, and seek well; for God sees us, hears us, and will set His face on those who desire Him.
All of us!; this is what we are called to. As difficult as it may be at times, this is the life of Jesus revealed in the scriptures and the very life we are to take up as we follow Him. Love each other, even if it’s hard.
Written By: Drew Dukes
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