1 Peter 3:7-12 Our Love For Others Should Reflect Jesus' Love

Peter had certainly witnessed firsthand Jesus' love for him.  Jesus had been incredibly patient with him.  Our love for others should reflect that same kind of love, not that we love them more, but so that the world will have no reason to doubt God's love.

This love is evidenced, it says, by several things:

1)  unity of mind (not uniformity) -- meaning cooperation in the midst of diversity

2)  compassion -- a sincere feeling for the needs of others

3)  tenderness of heart toward others -- pitying their condition

4)  love for our enemies -- "We must operate on the basis of mercy, for that is the way God deals with us."

So what about the persecutions we face even today?  "The persecutions we experience on earth today only add to our blessed inheritance of glory in heaven someday.  The news of impending persecution should not cause a believer to give up on life.  What may appear to be bad days to the world can be good days for a Christian."

Father, there have been a lot of bad days lately.  Help me not to wreck my Christian witness in the midst of them, but instead, help me to endure it all for Your glory.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford