Finally, all of you (part 1)

Read 1 Peter 3:8-9

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Whatever our status in life (2:13 - 3:7), we should be like Jesus in our behaviour to everyone. So, “finally”, Peter lists six qualities which ought to characterise “all of you”:

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1 Live in harmony. We must “seek peace and pursue it” (3:11). It takes effort to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph.4:3; Heb.12:14) because forgiving others is hard. But that’s essential if we are to live together in peace (Col.3:13,15).

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2 Sympathy is sharing the feelings of others – feeling with them, not just for them. “Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep” (Rom.12:15). Only then can we fulfil the key command to “do to others what you would have them do to you” (Mt.7:12).

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3 Love as family. Christians must “love one another deeply from the heart” (1:22) because love is the hallmark of being a follower of Jesus (Jn.13:34-35). So “put on love”, as this binds together all other virtues (Col.3:14).

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4 Be compassionate. Compassion is akin to sympathy – a deep concern for people’s needs (Mt.9:36) expressed in acts of kindness, as illustrated in two familiar parables (Lk.10:33; 15:20). So, as people of God, “put on compassion and kindness” (Col.3:12).

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(Continued tomorrow)