Blessed Are the Peacemakers
In a world that often feels fractured and divided, the call for peace and unity has never been more urgent. Let’s look into the teachings of 1 Peter 3:8-11 where we find a timely message that speaks directly to the heart of our current struggles. God, in His infinite wisdom, knows exactly what we need to hear today.
The Timeliness of God’s Word
It’s quite remarkable how God’s Word often aligns perfectly with our circumstances. Many of us witnessed events in our country this week that further highlight the lack of peace and unity in our world. Tyler, our Worship leader and pastor, was preparing for this message and stated it became clear that God’s timing is impeccable; He knows our hearts and our needs, and He provides guidance just when we need it most.
Unity of Mind and Sympathy
What we need now is a message of unity and peace. In 1 Peter 3:8 the apostle Peter begins with a powerful exhortation: “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” These words are a call to the Christian community to embody the virtues that can heal divisions. This doesn’t mean we all have to think exactly the same way. Rather, it calls for a shared commitment to the core values of our faith—love, compassion, and justice. To have unity of mind means prioritizing our common mission over our individual differences.
It also means having sympathy.In a world where empathy is often in short supply, sympathy calls us to feel with others, to share in their joys and sorrows. It’s about stepping into someone else’s shoes and understanding their experiences and emotions.
Brotherly Love and a Tender Heart
This is the kind of love that goes beyond mere affection. It’s a deep, familial love that binds us together as brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s a love that seeks the best for others, even at a cost to ourselves. It should control our reactions to others, remembering their intrinsic value to God.
A tender heart is one that is sensitive to the needs and pains of others. It’s a heart that is quick to offer comfort and slow to judge. In a world that often values toughness and self-reliance, a tender heart is a radical and transformative force.
Humility: The Foundation of Unity
Humility is the foundation upon which all these virtues rest. A humble mind recognizes that we don’t have all the answers or that we are always right. We need each other, including various opinions. It acknowledges our own limitations and is open to learning from others.
Responding to Evil with Blessing
1 Peter 3:9 offers a challenging but essential directive: “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”
In a culture that often glorifies retaliation and revenge, this call to bless those who wrong us is unexpected and countercultural. It requires a deep trust in God’s justice and a commitment to His ways to be able to choose to bless instead of curse. When we do, we break the cycle of violence and open the door to healing, reconciliation and respectful dialogue.
The Power of Words
Verses 10 and 11 continue with practical advice: “For whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.”
Guarding Our Tongues: Our words have immense power. They can build up or tear down, heal or wound. Keeping our tongues from evil means being mindful of what we say and how we say it. It means choosing words that edify and encourage rather than those that harm and deceive.
Turning Away from Evil: This is an active choice. It’s not enough to avoid doing wrong; we must also actively do good. This involves seeking out opportunities to serve, to help, and to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Pursuing Peace
Peace is not something that happens by accident. It requires intentional effort and perseverance. Pursuing peace means being proactive in resolving conflicts, fostering understanding, and building bridges between divided communities.
6 Practical Steps to Foster Unity and Peace
- Practice Active Listening: Take the time to truly listen to others, especially those with whom you disagree. Seek to understand their perspectives and experiences.
- Show Empathy: Empathy goes beyond sympathy. It involves feeling with others and sharing in their experiences. It’s about being present and offering support.
- Speak Life: Use your words to build up and encourage. Avoid gossip, slander, and negative speech. Choose to speak words of life and hope.
- Serve Others: Look for ways to serve those around you. Acts of kindness and service can break down barriers and build connections.
- Pray for Unity: Prayer is a powerful tool. Pray for unity in your family, your community, and the world. Ask God to soften hearts and bring reconciliation.
- Model Humility: Lead by example. Show humility in your interactions and be willing to admit when you’re wrong. Humility can pave the way for healing and understanding.
A Call to Action and Prayer
People will always have differing views, and if we reflect on 1 Peter 3:8-11, we’ll remember that the path to peace and unity begins with us. It starts with our decision to embody the virtues of unity, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and humility. It requires us to respond to evil with blessing, to guard our tongues, to turn away from evil, and to actively pursue peace.
In a world that desperately needs healing, let’s be agents of change. Let’s be the ones who through our actions, words, and prayer bring about the peace and unity that God desires for His creation and that people long for. Pray that we may we carry this message in our hearts and live it daily, knowing that in doing so, we are pleasing God and obtaining the blessing that God has promised to those who are the peacemakers.
Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes invites you to join us in this Sunday. Together, we can experience God’s Grace and share the love of Jesus with those around us.
