The Christian Circle: 1 Peter 3:8-9
1 Peter 3:8‑9 • 2 min. read • grade level: 10
1 Peter 3:88Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: (1 Peter 3:8). Having given special exhortations for Christians in their individual relationships, the apostle finally exhorts us as to the qualities that should mark the Christian circle in which all believers have their part.
The world around is full of discord, but in the Christian circles there should be unity: "Be ye all of one mind". From other Scriptures we learn that "one mind" in the Christian company can only be attained by each individual having the lowly mind -the mind that was in Christ Jesus (Phil. 2:2-52Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (Philippians 2:2‑5)). Nearly all the discord among believers can be traced back to the unjudged vanity and self-importance of the flesh that ever seeks to be prominent and accounted great (Luke 22:2424And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. (Luke 22:24)). Apart from having the mind of Christ we shall either be in conflict or form a false unity after our own ideas.
Having one mind, and that the mind of the Lord, will naturally lead us to have "compassion one of another". The Lord's "corn-passions fail not they are new every morning" (Lam. 3:22, 2322It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22‑23)). Very small differences between brethren may be allowed to wither up our compassions. If, then, our compassions are not to fail, the motive behind them must be love. Therefore the exhortation follows, "Love as brethren". This is not love after a human fashion as in natural relationships, however right in their place, but love as linked together in the divine relationships of the family of God.
Divine love will lead the Christian to be tender-hearted and humble-minded. In human love there is often a strong element of selfishness. Divine love will lead us to feel the sorrows of others while forgetting self. So Christ, not thinking of His own comfort or safety, can go into Judaea where men sought to kill Him, to weep with the two sorrowing sisters (John 11:8,358His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again? (John 11:8)
35Jesus wept. (John 11:35)).
1 Peter 3:99Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. (1 Peter 3:9). If, alas, one may seek to harm us, or rail against us, we are not to render evil for evil, or railing for railing, but, contrariwise, blessing. Our practical life in the Christian circle is to be governed by the fact that we are called to inherit blessing. In the sense of the grace that has so richly blessed us we should be ready to bless others even if they have railed upon us.
If these simple injunctions were carried out, there would be the setting forth of the excellencies of Christ in the circle of His people. What are these injunctions but the setting forth of the loveliness of Christ! He walked through this world with the lowly mind; His hand was ever stretched out in compassion, moved by a heart filled with divine love. No one was ever so tender-hearted and humble-minded as Christ. Never did He render evil for evil; on the contrary, He dispensed blessing to those of whom He had to say, "They have rewarded Me evil for good, and hatred for My love" (Psa. 109:55And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love. (Psalm 109:5)).