A Free Gift

567.  "A Free Gift"                         July 20, 2012
1 Peter 3-Part 5
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another, be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-9 NIV


LET IT GLOW

Don't you just love free things? Whenever I find a "two fer," I grab it. By that I'm talking about two for the price of one, like burgers, dinner meals, pop, sale products. Even if I have to use a coupon, I will in order to enjoy the benefit.  I thought about these two fers when I read about a free gift in a commentary. Want to know what it is?

In reference to verse 9, The MacArthur Bible Commentary says:

Blessing means "to speak well of," to "eulogize." the blessing that a Christian is to give to the reviler includes
1. finding ways to serve him;
2. praying for his salvation or spiritual progress;
3. expressing thankfulness for him;
4. speaking well of him;
5. desiring his well-being. (Lev. 19:18, Prov. 20:22, Luke 6:38)
You were called to this. A person to whom God has given undeserved blessings instead of judgment should seek the blessing he will receive when giving a free gift of forgiveness to someone who has wronged him. (Matt. 18:21-35)

Friends, I had to stop and ask forgiveness for not forgiving someone in my life. Love never fails. It seems like an everyday occurance, forgiving them. Duh! I need it, they need it, everyone needs it since we are all sinners, right? Those items on the list are easier read than done. I have some work to do outside of class.

Vengence is a powerful inclination when we believe we have been unjustly treated. If we have those five virtues listed in verse 8, then we won't seek revenge phusically or verbally. Psalm 34:12-16 tells us how to act if we desire life, peace, and long life.

Expecting a blessing yourselves, you should be ready to scatter blessings on all others. You should be ready to bear all their reproaches, and even to wish them well. The hope of eternal life should make your minds calm; and the prospect that you ware to be so exalted in heaven should fill your hearts with ...love.  (Barns)

Will we scatter blessings on all others today? Or will we pick and choose? Christ was our ultimate example. Change my heart, Lord.

LET IT GROW

In verse 8, Peter lists five virtues, which he comands us to do, be:

1. Live in harmony. Harmonious means a desire to cooperate so long as the purpose is in harmony with biblical principles and the mission of the believer. He doesn't mean to compromise at any cost.
2. Be sympathetic. Sympathetic means to feel together and it involves anability to understand and comfort people.
3. Love as brothers. Brotherly love, philadelphoi, connotes a sense of family ties and loyalty to one another.
4. Be compassionate. Compassionate means kindhearted, a quality of hurting when someone else is hurting.
5. Be humble. Humble in spirit means humble-minded. A person who possess this attribute is willing to listen to others' ideas even when he or she disagrees.

As a child of God, we can't escape the responsibility of living like this. We live in spiritual family, with Christ as the Head. Christianity requires these virtues as we walk by faith.
[Resource: James and First and Second Peter by William Baker]

Which ones do I need to work on? Which ones do you need to work on?

LET IT GO

Forgive those honery folks. Pray, serve, thank, speak well of them, even desire well-being upon them.

Love my enemies and my brothers and sisters in the faith.

Live in harmony; be sympathetic; show brotherly love; have compassion; remain humble in spirit.

Love Jesus, love others.