Loving God and Loving Life (1 Peter 3:8-13)
I. You must learn God’s principles for excellent personal relationships (vs. 9).
A. One mind principle. You don’t have to agree, but you have to be agreeable.
(friendly, amendable, pleasant, delightful, enjoyable, pleasing, nice, lovely)
B. Compassion principle. (s’un: together with and pathos: suffering, misfortune)
1. To feel what others feel in their suffering. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin( Hebrews 4:15).
2. Pray-action principle. Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: & I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way (Mt. 15:32)
C. Love principle. Above all things have fervent (stretch out, extend continually) love among yourselves for love shall cover the multitude of sins ( 1 Peter 4:8).
D. Pitiful principle. (tender-hearted) Express gentleness & sensitivity not harshness.
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven (Eph. 4:32). (In her tongue…law of kindness Pro 31:26)
E. Courteous principle. (philos: friend, phroneo: to think) mind set of friendliness.
F. Reverse process response principle (vs. 9)
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Mt. 5:44).
G. Blessing principle. Knowing you were called to this, that you might inherit a blessing.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3 & Mal. 3:10).
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it
And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
II. You must tame your tongue and train it for good.
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison (James 3:8).
A. The tongue is tamed by changing the heart.
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh (Luke 6:45).
B. You must begin daily, consistently, speak the truth in your heart. (Psalms 15:1-3).
Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart
1. The truth about God and His plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11).
This is God's Word on the subject: "As soon as Babylon's seventy years are up and not a day before, I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for (The Message).
2. The truth about you (Philippians 4:13).
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency (Amplified Bible).
3. The truth about others. For all have sinnedand come short… (Romans 3:23).
III. Shun evil and do good.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).
Now who is there to hurt you if you are zealous followers of that which is good?
But even in case you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, [you are] blessed (happy, to be envied). Do not dread or be afraid of their threats, nor be disturbed [by their opposition ( 1 Peter 3:13-14 AMP).
IV. Pursue peace vs. 11.
Let him turn away from wickedness and shun it, and let him do right. Let him search for peace (harmony; undisturbedness from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts) and seek it eagerly. [Do not merely desire peaceful relations with God, with your fellowmen, and with yourself, but pursue, go after them! (AMP)
V. You can count on the eyes and ears of God vs. 12.
I. You must learn God’s principles for excellent personal relationships (vs. 9).
A. One mind principle. You don’t have to agree, but you have to be agreeable.
(friendly, amendable, pleasant, delightful, enjoyable, pleasing, nice, lovely)
B. Compassion principle. (s’un: together with and pathos: suffering, misfortune)
1. To feel what others feel in their suffering. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin( Hebrews 4:15).
2. Pray-action principle. Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: & I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way (Mt. 15:32)
C. Love principle. Above all things have fervent (stretch out, extend continually) love among yourselves for love shall cover the multitude of sins ( 1 Peter 4:8).
D. Pitiful principle. (tender-hearted) Express gentleness & sensitivity not harshness.
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven (Eph. 4:32). (In her tongue…law of kindness Pro 31:26)
E. Courteous principle. (philos: friend, phroneo: to think) mind set of friendliness.
F. Reverse process response principle (vs. 9)
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Mt. 5:44).
G. Blessing principle. Knowing you were called to this, that you might inherit a blessing.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3 & Mal. 3:10).
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it
And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
II. You must tame your tongue and train it for good.
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison (James 3:8).
A. The tongue is tamed by changing the heart.
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh (Luke 6:45).
B. You must begin daily, consistently, speak the truth in your heart. (Psalms 15:1-3).
Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart
1. The truth about God and His plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11).
This is God's Word on the subject: "As soon as Babylon's seventy years are up and not a day before, I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for (The Message).
2. The truth about you (Philippians 4:13).
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency (Amplified Bible).
3. The truth about others. For all have sinnedand come short… (Romans 3:23).
III. Shun evil and do good.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).
Now who is there to hurt you if you are zealous followers of that which is good?
But even in case you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, [you are] blessed (happy, to be envied). Do not dread or be afraid of their threats, nor be disturbed [by their opposition ( 1 Peter 3:13-14 AMP).
IV. Pursue peace vs. 11.
Let him turn away from wickedness and shun it, and let him do right. Let him search for peace (harmony; undisturbedness from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts) and seek it eagerly. [Do not merely desire peaceful relations with God, with your fellowmen, and with yourself, but pursue, go after them! (AMP)
V. You can count on the eyes and ears of God vs. 12.