Every preacher should love 1 Peter 3v8. The verse begins, “Finally”, but he is only half-way through chapter three: you can claim apostolic permission to say “finally” in your sermon without being anywhere near the end!
Peter has been exploring what it means to “live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (1 Peter 2v12). He addressed Christians as subjects of human authorities, then gave instructions to slaves, wives and husbands. Now, “finally” he ends this section by writing to “all of you” who received his letter.
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 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.”
Life in the local church matters. As you come to Jesus you are a living stone being built into the temple of the Spirit that is the people of God. When people receive and obey the truth of the gospel they are purified and born again as brothers and sisters to love one another deeply, from the heart.
All this Peter has already explained. These deep gospel realities need to become the daily experience of life in the church, as a display to the world that God has redeemed His people.
Like-mindedness
So be like-minded. Pursue the Scriptures together. Be like the angels who long to meditate on the sufferings and glories of Jesus. And in all your Bible study, be humbled by the fact that all knowledge comes through the Holy Spirit’s work.
Being sympathetic
Be sympathetic. Remember all those “before and after” verses in this letter. Be sympathetic with the ignorant because you were once ignorant. Be sympathetic with those suffering grief in trials, because all of us must go through such tribulations. Be sympathetic with those who feel frail, for all people are like grass. Be sympathetic with those who have gone astray, for that was your condition before the Shepherd of your soul drew you back to Himself.
Love
Love one another. This is the philadelphia word: brotherly love. You have been given new birth and you call on a Father, so treat one another as family.
Compassion
Be compassionate. Remember how God has treated you: with great mercy that called you out of darkness into the light. If others are stuck in the darkness, have a compassionate heart and show similar mercy.
Humility
Be humble. No perishable treasure or fading status of your own could redeem you. The precious blood of Christ was needed to redeem you from your empty way of life. If you are wronged, do not seek to retaliate with wounded pride but follow Jesus and entrust yourself to Him who judges justly.
Look to Jesus!
What a wonder when Christians display Christ by their behaviour! If you are insulted, look to Jesus who did not retaliate when He was insulted, but surrendered His body, carried the shame, then gave life and righteousness to this sinful world. When evil comes, respond by doing good – the sort of good that caused Jesus to suffer once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring people to God.
Peter’s “final” instructions are gospel instructions. They shape us to be like Jesus. This is the good life that the pagan world needs to see in the church.
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