Verse of the Day 5/8

1 Peter 3:8-9

Do No Evil

⁸ Now finally, all of you should be like-minded and sympathetic, should love believers, and be compassionate and humble,  ⁹ not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing. Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

I don't  usually, actually rarely do I include the heading for a passage when I quote the verse of the day, but today's jumped out at me.  Verse 8 gives us a list of attributes that should be present, should be evident in our lives in our actions towards other believers, being "like minded", sympathetic, loving, compassionate and humble.  We are all probably agreeable to these things.  But it is this "do no evil"that may be more of a challenge.

When we think of "evil" we probably think more along the lines of being cruel to others, going beyond what everyday actions and back and forth arguments.  But the pattern shown here is to avoid insult for insult and avoid getting involved in the back and forth exchanges that take place every day.  Don't get involved in the one up-manship of  arguments.  Our focus should be to be a blessing to fellow believers.

This thought is nothing new, it goes back to the early pages of Genesis and God's call to Abraham in Genesis 12 to be a blessing.  Abraham and all of us today have been "blessed to be a blessing."  This is the 'like mindedness" that we are to have, we are to think and act with this attitude in mind.  Rather than looking for someone to argue with about something, it should be looking for  someone that we can share  God's blessings.

The Message tells us "that goes for all of you (us included), no exceptions, so retaliation, no sarcasm."  Can we replace retaliation and sarcasm with being sympathetic, compassionate and humble?  If so, we have the opportunity to be a blessing.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

1 Peter 3:8-12The 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.