Seeking Unity of the Spirit

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

Believe God's Love

1 Peter 3:8-12  The Message

Suffering for Doing Good

^8-12 Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing.

Whoever wants to embrace life
    and see the day fill up with good,
Here’s what you do:
    Say nothing evil or hurtful;
Snub evil and cultivate good;
    run after peace for all you’re worth.
God looks on all this with approval,
    listening and responding well to what he’s asked;
But he turns his back
    on those who do evil things.

For Reflection

 How you talk makes a difference!  Try this for a day.  Wipe out any reference to good or bad in your conversations with others.  Support the good and ignore the bad.  Find creative ways to guide a conversation toward more compassionate responses.  Try to be provisional rather than absolute. Try not to make statements which evaluate.  Rather, make observations.  Be supportive.

Pray

that you will not be tempted to use the conventional style of conversation.  Pray that you will avoid passing on gossip and hear-say.  Pray that you will say nothing evil or hurtful.  Pray that you will fill up your day with good!