Eph 5:1-2 “1Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Gal 5: Dissensions and factions…
Instead be…
1Pet 3:8-9
8Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9Do 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.
Like-minded and sympathetic
One mind - intent and purpose
An inner outlook regulating outward behavior
Share the same perspective
Living in one accord
Spirit-produced unity or agreement results from receiving God’s inworkings of faith - persuasions
Harmonious - one what are we to be agreed?
Sympathy
Brotherly
Kindhearted
Humble in spirit
Knowing God’s mind or thoughts as He reveals it through faith
And…
Sympathetic
Having compassion for one another
Suffering or feeling the like with another -
A fellow-feeling - feeling the same with them, for them -
To commiserate - having compassion for one another
Be
Loving
Tenderhearted
Courteous
Humble in spirit
Not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult
But instead, or, on the contrary, giving a blessing
Speak well of
To want good for, what is beneficial
For the one who wants to love life and see good days
Love -
Take pleasure in and from life and what it has and gives
That it would be agreeable
Life - being, as God has given and all that comes with it - to be present - at peace
To see good days…
Pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy
... he must…
1Peter 3:10-12
“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech.
11They must turn from evil and do good;
they must seek peace and pursue it.
12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” a
(3:10-12 Ps 34:12-16; 3:10 Jms 1:26; 3:10 Rm 3:13; Jms 3:5-8; 3:11 Ps 37:27; 3:11 Lk 12:51; 2Tm 1:2; Heb 12:14; 3Jn 14; 3:10-12 Ps 34:12-16)
Keep his tongue from evil (wrong or bad; inner malice, foul, rotten which comes from a rotten character “don’t act as they do”)
Eph 4:17-18, 22 “You must no longer walk as the gentiles do… put off the old self…”
Deceit speech - baiting one another
To exploit the naive or undiscerning
Especially those already suffering from excessive emotional pain
1Peter 3:13-18
13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
Do good - empowered by God through faith - what is upright and honorable
Seek peace and pursuit it…
A course of life that promotes harmony
With a mild and friendly spirit
To affect others with it
Bringing peace by being peaceable…
