1Peter 3:8-9 shows the spirit in which this spirit of activity and unity in the church is developed, and the text to verse 21 shows the intent and power. 1Peter 3:8-21 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 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: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it [cf Ps. 34:12-16]. 12 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. The concept here of being of one mind has been misused by cults to obtain mindless unquestioning adherence to faulty doctrine. The same concept resulted in the Inquisitions. Have compassion and love as brethren. Railing accusation should not be found among the elect. However, this manner of dealing with people has become a feature of the twentieth century churches. Concepts and truth are never, or rarely, dealt with on any serious basis but rather individuals are attacked and slandered. Rather than deal with what is said, the people are attacked for their attitudes or the way they speak. Keep the tongue from evil and the lips from guile (Ps. 32:2; 34:13; 1Thes. 2:3; 1Pet. 2:1,22; 3:10; Rev. 14:5). Respect of persons is a sin (Jas. 2:1-9). Christ praised the absence of guile at John 1:47. John 1:45-51 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! 48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. 49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. 50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. 51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. (KJV) Here Nathanael expressed a view concerning Nazareth, but he was open in his view. He was able to be persuaded easily by simple proof. Nathanael was given a promise of a calling. The text in 1Peter 3 continues: 13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 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:
Posted on: Sat, 07 Jun 2014 11:45:00 +0000
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