Setting our Minds

 

1 Peter 3:8-12

Have you met this group of people, if so what do they look like, and have they become a model for your life?  If we were to take seriously the verses referred to above, it would require some detective work.  Peter begins verse eight with these words, “Finally, all of you,” whom is being referred to?  In the verses preceding verse eight he has addressed husbands and wives, all over Asia Minor, both Jews and Gentile Christians, and also you and I.  The other fact that should be looked at is this was in no way a suggestion; these are commands that Jesus has given to every Christian, without exception, and has not one thing to do with feelings or circumstances.

The Holy Spirit using Peter’s lips, mind, and hands, to pen this book, and it is important that we do not read pass the “all of you” so lets begin in verse eight; “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”  God is very clear that we must set our minds to seek unity and also to be humble.  What does that mind look like?  That mind is seeking agreement, it has established the thought that we are many and we are one body in Christ.  That mind has no room in it for status; it understands that the body has many parts, and that each one was designed by the Creator to work together and that we belong to all the other parts of the body as stated in Romans 12:5.   It also aims for perfection, the goal is to live in peace with the other members of the body of Christ, as stated in 2 Corinthians 13:11.  That mind will choose to be wronged before it will allow self to break fellowship with the body, its goal is always to conduct self in a manner worth of the gospel of Christ.  It has a clear understanding that standing firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel will expose the darkness and brings many to an understanding that Christi is the light of the world.  That mind is always sympathetic an open to meeting the needs of others as stated in Isaiah 58:7, it is helpful to our weakest member of the body as found in Acts 20:35, and it is a burden-bearer as found in Galatians 6:2.

Have you set your mind on being that person in your Church, are you encouraging others to pray for you as you pray for them, so that in all things we bring honor to our Lord Jesus Christ?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice