1 Peter 3:8 (NIV)
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
Our Verse of the Day addresses the behaviors and personal conduct that should be inherent in our relationships with one another in the Church … the Body of Christ. Perhaps, the Holy Spirit wants to remind us of these apostolic exhortations this morning – which are abundant throughout the New Testament scriptures.
1 Peter 3:8-12 (NIV)
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 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. 10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (Peter is citing Psalm 34:12-16)
Romans 12:9-18 (NIV)
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Ephesians 4:1-6 (NIV)
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
1 John 4:7-12 (NIV)
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.
As you can see, these are practical instructions we can follow in order to fulfill the command of our Lord Jesus: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (Cf. John 13:34-35) And so, I think this is the message we have been called to consider this morning … to evaluate the inclinations of the thoughts of our hearts, and to guide them in the direction of greater, more sincere love for one another. This is important as we see the latter days coming to a conclusion … perhaps within our generation. (Cf. Hebrews 10:24-25) When we love one another, the love of God revealed through His Son lives in us and is made complete in us. This is the most powerful testimony we can present to the world around us! And so, I pray that our lives will reflect the light of His love in all that we say and do. As Paul asserted: “Love must be sincere!” Amen.
So Now You Know 