1 Peter 3:8-12 NLT
Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil.”
Looking at the Facebook feed lately, you will see a very divided group of people.
We have Trump haters, and Trump supporters, both of that seem to have a blind hatred or support no matter what he does or says.
We have the people who think that we should open everything back up with no limitations, and you have those who believe that we should stay in place for a more extended period.
But as a Christian, where should we weigh in with regards to any of this?
We should be with the Word of God.
The question is, where are we with the Word of God?
When was the last time that you opened the Bible?
Do you spend more time consuming social media, TV news, and reality TV than you do reading the Bible?
These are essential questions for a Christian.
Joshua 1:8 NLT
Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
In today’s verse from 1 Peter 3:8, we are charged to be “of one mind.”
The first place that we start is with the Word of God, the Bible. We need to settle this matter in our minds before beginning to work this out with others.
But this takes a consistent effort on our part. And this is never a “one and done” shot; this is a life long endeavor, heart-level commitment to getting to know Jesus intimately.
And here is the focus, “All Scripture is inspired by God… to make us realize what is wrong in OUR lives.” And “it corrects US when WE are wrong and teaches US to do what is right.”
I believe that the Christian faith has been given a black eye because leadership in the Christian faith has used the Bible to point out society’s flaws while not living the principles of the Bible out in their own lives.
You can list several outspoken “men of God” who were caught in very compromising situations. These situations were not a good witness to the Christian faith.
This statement is not to say that if you are a Christian that you will be perfect and without sin, it is to say that the Bible is to be used as a mirror for us to examine our lives against, not a magnifying glass meant to examine the lives of those around us.
And if we are not reading the Bible, the only thing that we have to base our opinions on is the media we consume, and that media is very divisive right now.
The verses from 1 Peter 3 continue to say, “Search for peace and look to maintain it.”
The question is, am I looking for “peace,” or am I looking to be right?
Is my opinion on how I think things should be more important than “peace?”
The times we find ourselves in is very interesting. People are dealing with the pressure they have never faced before, and you are starting to see people reacting in irrational ways.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Being Christian, our reactions to these things should be different. They should be centered on the Word of God.
If we are looking to have our prayers answered, here is the promise:
“The eyes of Lord watch over those who do right, and His ears are open to their prayers.”
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise and Your provision.
I pray that Your Spirit dwells richly in my mind, heart, words, and actions.
I pray that You heal this world and that You have mercy on us.
I thank You for Your Word, and I pray that You continue to give me the desire, strength, and courage to seek out in the face of these troubling times.
In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!! 🙏❤️
