Do You Have Compassion?
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
I Peter 3:8-9
The phrase “be of one mind” refers to unity. It means to be one with with Christ. While we are not all the same, we are to be like-minded in Christ.
Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Jesus said people will know that you belong to Me if you have the same mind and same love as Me. Do people know that you belong to Him?
Perhaps the greatest challenge in loving others is when we are wronged. This is when we need the love of Christ in our hearts, right?
The human side of us wants to return evil for evil. The flesh tells us to defend ourselves and to help others by showing them what they did to us. But that is not what Jesus taught.
Peter learned from the best. He studied under the best Teacher known to man. And yet even Peter had to keep himself in check.
When you are challenged with loving others keep in mind the kind of love that Jesus had for all people, even those who persecuted Him. It’s a kind of love or “mindset” that we are to have for all people.
The best way to be of “one mind” in Christ is to keep yourself centered in the love of Christ. Keep focussing on how much Jesus loves you and it will be easier to love others who have wronged you.
Pray
Lord, keep me in Your arms. Let me see how You love others and how I am to love them the same. Help me to understand how much love You have for me.
