Thots On 1 Peter 3b (8-22<o:p></o:p>

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This page is not meant as a full and detailed study on 1 Peter but rather to share some thoughts on each chapter. I am presently reading 1 Peter and would like to share my thoughts I gleaned as I read this Epistle. If you have thoughts you would like to share from this Book please feel free to do so.<o:p></o:p>

skypilot<o:p></o:p>

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The Apostle commands brothers and sisters in Christ to live in harmony with each other. We need to be sympathetic to each other’s needs, to demonstrate compassion and to do all this with humility.  Our Christ like humility does not allow us to be arrogant, insulting or returning evil for evil. <o:p></o:p>

It goes without saying that in Christ’s church there are those who do not get along with each other for whatever reason. I discovered this the year I became a Christian. One evening I attended a church business meeting and was shocked what I witnessed as the meeting progressed. I heard insults being hurled back and forth between one of the ministers and one of the brethren. It was over some trivial matter that had gotten out of hand. Years later I would face situations where some brethren were opposed to the way certain things were done. It wasn’t so much out doctrinal concerns as it was personality clashes. On one occasion the situation had reached a peak one Sunday morning where we could not have communion and actually had to ask all visitors to leave. One or two actually stayed and became involved with the one group which did not help matters. After a lengthy discussion (more argument than discussion) nothing was resolved. Insults and, angry words were hurled at certain brethren. The end result? About 50% of the brethren left the congregation. Over what? It was all personality issues. Scriptures were being inappropriately used by some to support their arguments. This is not the way Christ wants His children to use His Word.  Peter states we are to “…a blessing�?which means to pronounce good things upon others. How can we bless others if we have a negative behaviour/attitude towards others? I am surprised at times how often the Apostles like Paul, John and Peter echo Christ’s words that we are to love one another, to sacrifice time and energy for one another. We need to be compassionate towards one another, to be understanding of each other. If we wish to see Christ’s church grow spiritually and numerically we must become more Christ like in our behavior/attitude. Society is watching us and they will wonder over who we are and why we behave the way we do. We are to be one in Christ, to be united in our cause for Christ. Not only are the unsaved observing us but so is God. I wonder what if Christ were to send a messenger to our local congregation, as He did to the seven churches in Asia, what He would have to say to us? Remember, when we harbour bitterness, resentment we become a stumbling block to Lord and His service. We will not convince the unsaved to come to Christ for salvation. How can He listen to our prayers when we are filled with bitterness, anger, insults? Remember Matt. 25<o:p></o:p>

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“Father, forgive me where I have erred against my brethren.<o:p></o:p>

In so doing O Lord I have erred against you.�?lt;o:p></o:p>

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Edward<o:p></o:p>

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