Lesson 6 -- 1 Peter 3:8-12
Our selected reading for week 6 covers Peter's instructions to the church and how we are to live in community with other believers.
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
This means that the four qualities of the ideal church are harmony, sympathy, love, and humility. When you find a church that exhibits all four qualities, it's pretty obvious. It becomes a true church "family" and a place that you can enjoy going to every Sunday. It becomes the kind of place that attracts others to it, whether seekers, new believers, or mature Christians. It feels safe and comforting to worship in harmony with like-minded believers. Without drama, there is room for growth both personally and for the church as a whole.
I don't know about you, but I've had church experiences that lacked one (or more than one) of those qualities at different times, unfortunately. I cringe when I think about what kind of example we're showing to the outside world when we fight amongst ourselves as Christians. I shudder to think how disappointing that must be to our great God who has called us to be different as lights for Christ.
Sometimes we are called upon to be the "bigger" person in a conflict. To show maturity, to tame our tongue from responding unkindly when we're wounded. It is not easy, but God will bless us for it. Not only will we be blessed, but we will then be a blessing to others!
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I'm participating in a 9 week study of 1 Peter by Sue Edwards through Kregel Publications. You may read what other bloggers are learning in their studies here.
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