Verse of the Day 2/3
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; New King James Version (NKJV)
At the end of his sermon last week, our Pastor Bob asked the question "what does love require of us". As we have considered recently, each day is filled with choices, along with all of the other things mentioned in the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, it starts with love, which leads to the things mentioned in today's verse. As a reminder of the fruit of the Spirit:
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
You notice that it begins with love and having compassion for others is rooted in that love.
David Jeremiah gives us an explanation what the word for "compassion" here means. "When it came to translating eusplagchnon into English, again, one word wasn't sufficient. We combined com (with) with passion (heartfelt emotion) to create compassion. Compassion is the English version of Greek "good affections from deep within." Both are good words, strong words, that evoke images of what it means to identify with the pain and needs of others. Com means compassion is with or toward others; compassion is not a solo act or emotion. Compassion has a human object. And passion—well, passion is passion. We know it even when we can't define it."
We are to have compassion. This is not talking about something superficial or based on impulse, it is to come from deep within, "implanted" there by the Holy Spirit Himself as we act upon the inspiration of that Spirit working in us according to the Word and the will of God.
The Message (below) sums it up well in verses 8-9 in this passage, "Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing."
That last statement "you'll be a blessing and also get a blessing" brings us all the way back to the call of Abraham back in Genesis 12. Having been blessed ourselves may we also show compassion in being a blessing to others.
Blessings,
Mike
1 Peter 3:8-12 The Message (MSG)
Suffering for Doing Good
8-12 Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing.
Whoever wants to embrace life
and see the day fill up with good,
Here's what you do:
Say nothing evil or hurtful;
Snub evil and cultivate good;
run after peace for all you're worth.
God looks on all this with approval,
listening and responding well to what he's asked;
But he turns his back
on those who do evil things.
and see the day fill up with good,
Here's what you do:
Say nothing evil or hurtful;
Snub evil and cultivate good;
run after peace for all you're worth.
God looks on all this with approval,
listening and responding well to what he's asked;
But he turns his back
on those who do evil things.
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