Peter Barnes | 1 Peter 3:8-9
SERMON NOTES
UNITY, LOVE, HUMILITY, BLESSING
1 Peter 3:8-9
Peter has been dealing with Christians living as subjects to the civil powers (2:13-17), as slaves (2:18-25), and as wives (3:1-6) and husbands (3:7). When he says ‘finally’ in verse 8, he means that this section is nearly finished.
1. We are to have unity of mind.
– 3:8. ‘Unity of mind’ is better than the NIV’s ‘live in harmony’. Phil.2:2; not necessarily identical beliefs in every respect – Rom.14:1-6.
May the mind of Christ my Saviour
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say (Katie Wilkinson).
2. We are to be loving.
(a) we are to enter into the feelings of another – Rom.12:15. Christ Himself does this – Heb.4:15.
(b) we are to show brotherly love. John 13:34-35. .
(c) we are to reveal a tender heart. Luke 10:33; Job 29:11-16; Eph.4:32.
3. We are to cultivate a humble mind.
– William Cowper: For Thou, within no walls confined,/ Inhabitest the humble mind. See Phil.2:5-7.
4. We are not to repay evil but to bless.
– 3:9. The emphasis on unity, love and humility in verse 8 is lived out in a hostile environment in verse 9.
– Luke 6:27-28. Paul echoes this in Rom.12:14; 1 Cor.4:12.