1 Peter 3:8-15
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
· The foundation of this portion of Scripture lies in the statement “be ye all of one mind”.
· This is a corporate vision that God has ordained, that we would be likeminded.
· Every one of us who claim to be born again believers are to share the same heart and vision.
· It is more then a vision, it is a product of the indwelling Spirit.
§ But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. 1 Thessalonians 12:9
§ Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned (sincere) love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 1 Peter 1:22
· To be like minded in the areas of:
§ Compassion: suffer or feel pain together, to suffer evils (troubles, persecutions) in the like manner with another
§ Love: we are to love one another as fellow country men, fellow laborers in Christ
§ Pitiful: we are to be tenderhearted one to one another
§ Courteous: we are to be friendly and kind to one another
§ Not rendering evil for evil:
§ Railing for railing:
§ But contrariwise blessing:
· Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Romans 12:19
§ If each one of us would strive to put in practice what is being revealed in this portion of Scripture, regardless of what the other did, true Christian love and unity would follow.
§ And genuine Christian love is the foundation of spiritual unity.
· Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. Psalm 133:
§ How can we receive the blessing if we do not have like mindedness combined with a heart to put these things in to practice?
· It must begin somewhere and with someone.
· Someone must be willing
· We must be willing
· It must begin within the body of believers
· …for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 1 John 4:20
· This is the commandment that we have from Him, that he who loveth God love his brother also. 1 John 4:21
§ As the children of God we must come to an understanding that the Lord has called us to a blessing that can only be obtained through obedience to His Word.
§ Trying to walk in the blessing of the Lord without doing what is required for it becomes quite frustrating for we can not be blessed when we are in rebellion to the truth. And love of the brethren is a major doctrine in the Word of God.
· Note: God may choose to withhold judgment when we rebel against truth, but He will not hold it back forever.
For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 1 John 3:11-14
· That’s right God has a foundational message, it is twofold:
1) Love God
2) Love your brother
3) The “one another” is directed to the church, the brethren, for it is a mutual love.
§ Note: Paul makes distinction between the brethren and the world “the world hates you”.
§ The world does not and can not have this type of love becomes it flows form God.
· So important is this command to love, that it becomes an evident token that we are truly born again and have true an eternal life.
· And Paul declared that love was so important that God gave the church the five fold ministry for …
1) The perfecting of the saints
2) Speak the truth in love
3) The edifying of itself in love
§ Love is the concrete foundation on which we build
§ Love is the cement that keeps the building together
That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 1 Corinthians 12:25
· Love produces fruit of the Kingdom
· Love produces unity, not division
· Love produces a mutual care for one another
· No one in the body suffers rejection with this level of love
· No one feels left out
· No one feels unimportant
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. Ephesians 6:1-2
· Not talk about love
· Not think about love
· Walk in love (regulate, progress, conduct ourselves in love)
Definition of love: 1 Corinthians 13