Traits of the Believer
3:8-12
Peter wraps up the section of the epistle that deals with living in relationships or institutions: citizen to government, slave to master, wife to husband, and husband to wife. That is why he used the word “finally”. (8) He has emphasized living in submission for the sake of Jesus, empowered by the freedom we have in him.
Verses eight and nine summarize what he has been saying. He gives five characteristics of the life we should live:
unity of mind
sympathy
brotherly love
a tender heart\compassion and
a humility.
It sounds simple when it is a list, doesn’t it? But let’s look at these traits Peter says we should have.
“Unity of mind” or “like-mindedness”. Believers should be unified in a mind that sets its hope on the return of Christ. (1:13) It is a hope based on eternity that gives the ability to look past the present problems to the glory that will later appear. It is a mind that cares more for the well being and sanctification others than for personal pride and privilege.
Paul gave a similar instruction to the Philippian church: “complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind”. (Philippians 2:2) He went on to say this mind is ours in Christ Jesus. (Php. 2:5) The Holy Spirit will unite our minds in pursuit of Christ if we do not let our selfishness get in the way. “Unity of mind” reveals the mind and love of Christ. It shows we pursue Christ, love him, and love his people.
Christian life is also marked by sympathy. Sympathy is rejoicing with those who rejoice and mourning with those who mourn. (Romans 12:15) Again, this models a trait of Jesus. He is the high priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses. (Hebrews 4:15)
Brotherly love, or love for one another (CSB) is the love we have because we are brothers and sisters in Christ. He loved, and loves us, so we must love each other, our fellow believers. We love them regardless of gender, or color, or race, because we who were not a people are now a people, the people of Christ. (2:9)
The bond in Christ transcends the bonds we have based on anything else. Paul put it this way: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
Compassion is to have a tender heart for each other. Paul said to be compassionate to each other, forgiving each other, as God forgave you in Christ. (Ephesians 4:2) Jesus had compassion for the crowds and for the sick. The parable of the Good Samaritan teaches us to have compassion on all who need it. (Luke 10:33) We received compassion, so we have compassion for others, demonstrating Christ’s compassion to them.
Compassion is often the opposite of judgmental. It does not mean we ignore sin. But, it acknowledges that we all have weaknesses. It acknowledges that some are suffering for various reasons, but still suffering. And we can feel for them and help them.
The last trait is humility. We have looked at this trait before. It is modeled on Jesus, who was gentle and humble. It may be mocked in society, but is honored by God. Humility is not exalting yourself. It is putting others before yourself, not feeling entitled or prideful. Nietzsche mocked it as “slave mentality”. It is definitely “servant mentality”, based on the Christ’s humility that resulted in our salvation.
Putting these traits into action, we do not repay evil for evil. We do not revile those who revile us. (Revile mean to criticize and insult.) Instead, we bless those who revile us. (9) Again, our example is Jesus, who was reviled by the Jews and the Romans, yet did not revile them or act out evil against them.
We bless them by praying for their good and for their salvation. Stephen even prayed for God to forgive those who stoned him. (Acts 7:60)
This is difficult. Only the believer committed to Jesus and living in the power of the Holy Spirit can do it. It is against our human nature to do so. But the transformed believer can do it. As Jesus trusted his fate to the Father, we can trust that the Father will vindicate us and bring justice, if not in this life, then at the judgment. We can leave that to him and bless those who curse us.
If we do this, bless rather than revile, we will obtain a blessing. (9) Peter quoted Psalm 34: 12-16 as the source of his teaching. The Lord promised that his eyes would be on us for our protection and our prayers would be heard. We will love life and see good days. I love it when there is a reward involved, don’t you? Your reward is the favor and fellowship of the Lord.
I have this picture in my mind of Jesus returning to heaven after the resurrection. He had completed the mission the Father gave to him. He returned as Lord and King. The angels and creatures in heaven bowed before him. As he approached the throne, all of the love and favor of the Father poured forth upon him as he took his seat on the throne.
We receive favor from the Lord as we live for him on earth. But we also receive reward in heaven. Imagine having lived this life in love and humility, then being welcomed into heaven by Jesus who smiles upon you in love and favor and tells you that you have done well and to now enter into your reward.
Keep that picture in mind as you live your daily life trying to live out these traits that Peter lists.
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