Living a Godly Life
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Introduction
Introduction
Here we come to the conclusion for this household code that began back in 2:11
Peter begins with a call for the church to keep her conduct honorable in the world and then he practically works that out for us in the areas that we have already looked at.
One of the things that i did not mention is that we need to stop and see that faithful Christian living effects every part of our life.
It effects our public life, it effects the way we view government and other human institutions, if effects the way we work.
And it effects our private life, it effects the most intimate of relationships that we have, that between a husband and wife
And it effects everything in between.
Love has to be in the middle of it all v.8
Love has to be in the middle of it all v.8
The conclusion of this section begins with the word finally
And here he turns to address everyone, finally all of you.
In the greek text there is no verb there is “and finally all of you” and then there is a list of adjectives. The verb is implied but clearly it is something like “be” or “have”.
It seems clear to me that in v.8 especially Peter is addressing the relationships that they would have among one another within the church.
1. Have unity of mind, literally of the same mind
Some translations read, have one mind or be harmonious
some translations read, have one mind or be harmonious
However it is read clearly it is a call to unity to harmony within the body, within the church
2. sympathy, they are to be sympathetic toward one another, to seek to be understanding toward one another
2. sympathy, they are to be sympathetic toward one another, they are to have compassion on one another
3. brotherly love
4. tender hearted or compassionate
3. brotherly love
5. be humble minded, that is humility is called for
Brothers and sisters, the Bible gives us these commands because we need to hear them. We need to hear these commands because there have been many churches deeply hurt because a lack of these things.
When we look at these five things we see that obeying these exhortations would lead to smooth relationships within the church.
1. This call to unity or likemindedness if found in the NT but this is the only place where this particular word is used. Other greek words that carry a similiar meaning are used
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
This type of exhortation would not be found so regularly in the NT if Christians and churches were not prone to suffer from division and dissension.
2. sympathetic
That is caring deeply about the sorrows, the joys, the needs of others
This is the greek word sumpathas
The verb sumpatheo is used
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Brothers and sisters we are called to care deeply for one another so that
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
3. philadelphoi is the third word used
philadelphia comes from this word, the city of brotherly love
phileo plus adelphos
We are called to love our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Brothers and sisters we are called to love the church, we are called to love one another.
The family love of believers was important to Peter
1:22, 2:17
And we see his love for the brotherhood, 2:11 and 4:12
We are a part of the same family, we are a part of the family of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This is one of the evidences of genuine Christian faith all through the NT, that is a warm love for brothers and sisters in Christ.
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
And then there is the most obvious place, 1 John
Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
4. a tender heart
This same exact word is used one more place in the NT
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
But the interesting thing this word, eusplanchnoi, comes from the word
splanchnon: heart or affection, or affections
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?
For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
splanchnidzomai: verb meaning to have pity or have compassion, this verb is used in reference to our Lord
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew
14:14, 15:32,
, , ,
Luke 7:13
Luke also uses the word in
And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
5. Humble mind
Humility, this greek word would be used especially to contrast boastfulness.
Of course humility means that others are considered more important than oneself
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Pride should not fill the life of a Christ follower
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
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I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Some have suggested that we see a chiasm in this verse.
That is that there is an intentional pattern by Peter where love is right in the middle of the pattern because love is central.
Thomas Schreiner
“Harmony and humility belong together, for the primary means by which harmony is disrupted is pride and self assertion. Sympathy and compassion are closely related and even hard to distinguish from each other. Brotherly love is the middle term, showing that it is the most important of all the virtues and that the other virtues are embraced in the call to love one another as a family.”
Well isn’t this how we are a light in the midst of the darkness. Isn’t this how we live as sojourners and exiles in this world.
Brothers and sisters a part of abstaining from the passions of the flesh looks like loving one another as we see in these verses.
I would even say that when we are not living this way among one another we are living like the world and we are giving in to the passions of the flesh.
We are living fleshly, we are living carnally, and are not living like children of God, like people of King Jesus.
Again, what does Jesus say to us
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Be a blessing to others v.9
Be a blessing to others v.9
If it is easy to see Peter exhorting the church when it comes to relationships within the church and it appears to v.9 focuses of relationships outside of the church.
How should we respond to unbelievers who mistreat us?
One the other hand, there are times when we may even be mistreated by those within the church and so whether the mistreatment comes from without or within the church, how are we to respond?
As tempting as it is to strike back when we have been mistreated but we are called to entrust ourselves to God in those moments.
He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
The example of Christ instructs us here.
We see similar commands in other places
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.
and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;
Of course these commands are rooted in the example of our Lord, but also in the teaching of our Lord as well.
bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Instead of insulting others or responding in kind, believers are called to bless others.
As believers we are to ask God to show His favor and grace upon those who would bring injury upon us.
What did our Lord pray while on the cross?
Father forgive them, they know not what they do.
Again, what does Peter mean when he says we are called to this so that we may obtain a blessing?
Is this works salvation?
Clearly not
Our salvation is all grace and mercy
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
In Peter’s mind, it is the behavior that gives evidence to the reality of the new birth.
You were called out of darkness and into light, you were called to blessing, you were called to follow Christ and being a blessing to our enemies is one of the most Christ like and least world like things that we can do.
In summary brothers and sisters,
Let us love one another
Let us pray for our enemies, pray for those who hate us and would do us harm, let us seek their good.