Gtcotr/ws030310
Key Scripture: Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ
Jesus.
Recently we have been developing a “One Life” theme in our church. Not only
have I been preaching a “One Life” series in this pulpit but I have also
developed “One Life” materials for use in Pastor, Leadership, and Family Church
conferences all over the world.
The “One Life” theme is built around the truth that every person, without
regard to their age and despite how long they will live, has only one life. It
is therefore incumbent upon each Believer to make the most of the one life they
have been given and seize every opportunity presented to positively impact
others for the cause of Christ.
Not only do we have but one life in which to tell others about the plan of
salvation through Jesus the Messiah, but every individual on planet earth has
only one life in which to hear and accept that message as well. Those who die
absent an eternal relationship with God through a personal belief in Jesus as
Messiah wastes the one life and forfeits the one opportunity they had. Since
this is central to the Christian faith, it is necessary for us as believers to
give our one life in God’s service.
Our “One Life” is understood to include several other “One Concepts”. For
example:
One Life – One God
One Life – One Story
One Life – One Message
One Life – One Faith
One Life – One Family
One Life – One Purpose
One Life – One Source
One Life – One Testimony
And tonight’s message,
One Life – One Mind
So, with these things fresh in our thoughts, let’s turn in the Bible to:
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all
of you be of one mind …
What in the world could this battle hardened fisherman turned Disciple, turned
Apostle, turned Church Father mean? … be of one mind?
When the Apostle Peter wrote this letter it was penned in the common language
of his day, Greek. As it is with varying languages, some are more definite
while others are less specific in the use of words to convey literal and
intended meanings. The Common Era Greek of that period was a more specific
language than say, the English used in much of the world today. Believe me, a little
understanding of the Greek language can be dangerous because it is fairly
complex in it grammar. However …
The Bible says that God sent His Son in the fullness of time. I believe that
one of the things which marked the fullness of time was the language of the day
which God knew would be used to preserve the inspired and anointed words of the
Bible. Did you know, for example, that there are 8 different Greek verbs and at
least 2 Greek nouns translated into the one English word, gift? Each one of the
Greek words for the English word “gift” conveys a different meaning.
So, when the Apostle, inspired and anointed by the Holy Spirit, begins writing
the letter we now know as the First Book of Peter in the New Testament, he says
precisely what God intends for him to say. Now, we must study to show ourselves
approved of God in order to rightly read, understand and correctly interpret
the word of God.
In 1 Peter 3:8, the Greek word Peter used which is translated to the phrase “be
of one mind” is:
Mind = Homophron
Homo = Joined together; oneness; the same
Phren = the midriff or diaphragm region; parts of the
heart with which we perceive or judge
Basically, to be joined at the heart when it comes to judging one another …
This is the only time in the Bible where this compound word is used.
So, since God used only one generation to write the one Bible we have, telling
the one story God wanted us to know so that we could live the one life we have,
and since that one generation lived in a very different world than the world we
live in today … how is it that we can be expected to be perfectly joined
together at the heart when it comes to judging others?
Glad you asked! Because, the inspired, eternally anointed word of Almighty God
given through the Apostle Peter did not stop with a command, but also gives
insight into how we may accomplish that command. Let’s look further into this
passage …
1 Peter 3
8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love
as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;
9 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.
10 For "He who would love life And see good days,
Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.
Commentary and
Conclusion
Verse 8:
· Exercise compassion and sympathy on others - Put yourself in their shoes
before condemning, criticizing or rejecting them
· Love others like you would love your own family
· Be tender and merciful not hard, harsh, uncaring or too direct
· Show humility and treat others with common decency and respect
Verse 9:
· Don’t ill treat others because of your own experiences
· Find ways to be a blessing – not a curse – even to your enemies
· This is God’s will – do it and you will be blessed
Verse 10:
· Don’t say bad stuff about others just because you think it
· Don’t repeat the bad stuff you have heard about others
· Live this and you will enjoy your life and see good all your days