Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathise with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.
1 Peter 3:8-9 (NLT)
God wants his children to be single-minded in purpose and direction – that does not mean that we will always agree on everything but we cannot let disputes or disagreements disrupt our overall unity. We are commanded to love one another deeply and genuinely. In fact, Jesus said that this should be the way that the watching world recognises us as his disciples…
Love inevitably involves risk. Tender hearts are liable to get bruised. Brothers and sisters can be bluntly honest with each other at times. But we must be humble, not allowing our own egos to trip us up.
The urge to retaliate when insulted is so strong! We need divine help from the Holy Spirit to help us stop before we ‘repay evil with evil’. And we definitely need the Spirit’s help to bless those who insult us! Perhaps take a moment this week to pray for someone who posts anti-Christian messages on Facebook, insults Jesus in a comedy sketch, ridicules Christianity in your home, or belittles the faith of Christians in your workplace. Pray that God would bless them – not what they do or say, but their inner person who is made in His image and likeness.
Salt and Light 