The text this morning is taken from 1 Peter chapter 3 as we continue in our consideration of that letter from Peter. 1 Peter 3 verses 8 and 9. In connection with that, turn with me to Romans 12 as we read verses 9 through 21. You recall that in chapter 3 of 1 Peter we've been dealing with submission. The submission of slaves to their masters, employees to their employers, submission of wives to their husbands, submission of husbands to their wives. Now Peter enters into a section, a couple of verses, in which he talks directly about believers to believers and our relationship to one another and how that is to be carried out. In connection with that, let's read from Romans chapter 11 or 12, Romans 12, beginning at verse 9 through 21, as we give our attention to the Word of God. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written, it is mine to avenge, I will repay, says the Lord. On the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. And then Peter in the text, verses 8 and 9 of 1 Peter chapter 3, writes, Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another. Be sympathetic. Love as brothers. Be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called, so that you may inherit a blessing. In the beloved congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ, we hear a lot in our day about being politically correct. People in society are expected to talk or act a certain way. They are expected to accept certain social trends no matter what and accept certain kinds of behavior freely chosen by those who desire to behave in these certain ways. Toleration, even if our particular views and the ways we see things ought to be, are not tolerated. We are called to be tolerant. We are called to be politically correct. And sometimes I think to be politically correct means that you simply go with the flow of society, that you willingly accept the choices and the decisions of others, and that you change with the rest of the world because the majority must be right. Unfortunately, there is no objective standard of right or wrong that the world is following these days. Except that what's right for me is right for me, what's right for you is right for you, and don't you dare infringe upon my rights. But when it comes to the church, when it comes to God's people, the bride of Christ, there is a standard. There is a standard of truth, of right, and of wrong. There is an ecclesiastical correctness, if you will. And that correctness is what God Himself says. In chapter 2, Peter summarized the Christian standard with the words, live such good lives, or as it's also translated, display excellent behavior. Again, according to what God says. You see, the world keeps a close eye on the Christian to see if his confession is true. Does his walk match his talk? Does he live out what he professes to believe? And Peter says to the Christians, to you and me, he says that the world must see your good behavior as you Christian servants submit to your masters. They must see you Christian wives being submissive to your husbands. They must see you Christian husbands living with your wives in a considerate and understanding way, giving her respect and submitting to her needs. And children, you children of all ages, just because Peter does not explicitly talk to children in his letter here, that doesn't mean that you are excluded. We know that Paul says, Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. That's your submission. But along with all of that, all that we've considered so far in this letter, The world must also see Christians in the church, in the fellowship of God's people, honoring one another. The bride of Christ, the church, is a community of believers and all believers are called by God to display good and excellent behavior towards one another as they submit to one another. And that church community is enhanced when Christian conduct is practiced and expressed to fellow Christians. Now we're talking about evidence again. Evidence of faith in Jesus Christ. And that evidence, beloved, is to be real. Not only at work. Not only at home. Not only in the mall. Not only in the restaurant. Not only on the beach. Not only in any other public place. And we say that often, doesn't it? It is to be evident there. But not only does it not exclude one very important place. That evidence is to be real as well in the fellowship of the communion of the saints. In fact, if there is no real Christian conduct in the church among brothers and sisters in Christ, it will not be real among the Gentiles, among the world either. You see, Peter is going to the heart of the matter with each one of us. whether you are a young covenant child in the church or whether you are a covenant child in the twilight years of your life, he goes to the heart of each one of us, and the Word of God comes to us as the call to practice Christian conduct in the church, among our brothers and sisters in Christ. And Peter talks about the distinguishable character, the honorable quality, and the blessed result of this Christian conduct. He says in verse 8, Finally, all of you live in harmony with one another. Be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. We might say that these are five virtues that describe the distinguishable character of Christian conduct. With one look, it's easy to see that these virtues must originate in the heart. If these are faithfully practiced, and that is a reflection of the heart that is filled with that selfless kind of love that Peter had talked about before. Remember, the Christian faith is other-directed, directed outside of myself towards others, to God first, and then to others. And we know, of course, that in every relationship, Christians must seek to live in harmony, to be sympathetic, to exercise brotherly love, and to be compassionate and humble, but especially in the church. In our relationships with each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. In our relationships with fellow believers, wherever we might find them. That is a picture of selfless love. And that is to be a picture of the bride of Christ. And this is possible only because of God's love lavished on His people first. You see, the Christian's excellent behavior is rooted in God's love for His people. John says in 1 John 4, verses 10 and 11, This is love. Not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. We love God only because He loved us first. And because we love Him by His grace, the natural outflowing of that, the natural result of that, is that we also love the brothers and sisters that are born of Him. It's interesting, I think, that when you study God's commands for Christian behavior, you find that the Christian is expected to act toward others totally contrary to the way society says is the way to go. Society, we know, says it's survival of the fittest. You have to take what's yours. You've got to get what you can. You are to advance yourself no matter what the cost, no matter whom you may have to step on on the way, and no matter who gets hurt. If you have to use and abuse others, so be it. It's each man for himself. And unfortunately, this is the attitude that some have in the church as well. This is what it takes, you see, to be a step closer than others to heaven. But Peter says no. He says no. Remember, a true Christian doesn't act that way out in the world, let alone among brothers and sisters in the church. You are commanded, he says, to show proper respect for everyone. Remember? And that respect or honor in the church takes on a character that is easily distinguished from the world's practice. First of all, Christians are to live in harmony. This is also translated as being of one mind or being like-minded. This means to simply think the same thing. Christians are to be rooted in the same truth and that is the truth revealed in Jesus Christ. I read of this Greek word as referring to that inward unity of attitude in spiritual things which makes schism unthinkable. In other words, this is a call for unity in faith, hope, and love. Now, this doesn't mean that there are no differences among Christians. There are. We know that. Even among some of us here. There are differences. But Christians are to be governed by the mind of Christ so that differences, if at all possible, do not divide, but rather enrich the church. Paul often commanded the church to have the same mind. To be harmonious or like-minded as the bride of Christ means to seek the highest interests of Christ and His kingdom with a common desire, with common eagerness, and common concern. It means to cultivate the harmony of confession of faith and the harmony of worldview over against the pagan world. It means to stand together united with one mind in Christ against the wicked world, a world in which everyone has the right to think and believe what they want. The second distinguishable virtue is to be sympathetic. Peter is talking about sharing the feelings of others, about having an understanding participation in the lives of others. Notice, an understanding participation, not a nosy participation, but an understanding participation in the lives of others. We often think of being sympathetic or having sympathy for someone in times of sorrow or difficulty. But this really means to identify with fellow Christians in times of joy as well. Paul says in Romans 12, verse 15, Rejoice with those who rejoice. Mourn with those who mourn. I think we find it easy to mourn with those who mourn. But sometimes it's hard to be joyful with someone else. to rejoice with them when they have been greatly blessed. And we don't think that we have been quite so greatly blessed. It's hard to rejoice with them because sin rears its ugly head in jealousy. This is especially hard for children, isn't it, boys and girls? If you have wanted a certain toy or a certain something so badly for such a long time and then your best friend ends up getting it for his or her birthday, Oh, that's hard, isn't it? That's hard rejoicing with them and not being envious to the point of wanting it taken from them and placing your hands. But Peter also commands Christians with the next virtue to love as brothers. The church of Jesus Christ is a family of faith with one Father, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. and therefore Christians are called to love as brothers. And here Peter is talking about that Philadelphia, that brotherly love. We know that there are different Greek words used for love, phileo, agape, eros, and there are a number of times when phileo and agape are used interchangeably, but also a number of times, I believe, when they are distinguished one from another. And I think we have that here. Peter is talking about that Philadelphia, that brotherly love. Remember, agape love can be considered to be that self-sacrificing love that seeks only to give and not to get. Philadelphia, or brotherly love, is love that is kindled by something within the object being loved. And therefore, the one who loves in this way finds something pleasing in the one being loved. Christians are to find pleasure in each other. Their like-mindedness produces the same likes and dislikes, the same interests, the same thoughts and devotion. Paul says in Romans 12.10, Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. See, Peter is saying in a sense that here, Christians must get something from each other. Not in a selfish way. But Christians must get something from each other. What is that? Christian fellowship. Christian fellowship is what we are to get from one another. That saying, birds of a feather flock together, must be true of brothers and sisters in Christ. And the fourth distinguishable virtue is to be compassionate, also translated to be kind-hearted. This means to have compassion in the sense of having deep inner feelings of pity or mercy. Being compassionate, as Peter is talking about, means that when others are in misery as a brother or sister in Christ, you too feel that misery as much as is possible. Again, mourn with those who mourn. And therefore, Christians strive to help in as much as in them lies. Christians strive to help each other to reduce or even take away the suffering of one another. Paul says, in verse 13 of Romans chapter 12, share with God's people who are in need. And finally, Peter gives the command to be humble. Philippians 2 says, Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interest, but also for the interest of others. And Paul goes on to make it clear that this is possible only by striving to imitate Christ's humility. Humility, we know, means to think modestly and humbly of yourself. The opposite of humility is pride and arrogance, which really only leads one to despise his neighbors. Humility, we might say, as it's played out here, means to be courteous and kind and gentle with fellow saints and to give yourself in selfless service. Again, following the example of Jesus washing the disciples' feet. Humility, as well as reflected in how we communicate with each other. Proverbs 15, verse 1 says, A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. I don't know about you, but I need to remember that one. When my temper flares. A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Beloved, when the world thinks of the church, when the world gets a picture in its mind of the church, even though they might despise her, what is it they must see? The world must see the community of those who live in harmony, who are sympathetic, who love as brothers, who are compassionate and humble toward one another. This is to be a picture of the distinguishable character of the church's Christian conduct. It's distinguishable because it's totally opposite from the world. In the world, again, instead of harmony, it's each man for himself. In my way or no way. Instead of sympathy, people don't know how to deal with another's sorrow. They simply don't know how. And on the flip side, there is envy and jealousy at another's prosperity. Hatred and spite and using and abusing each other takes the place of brotherly love. And if one is suffering, well, that's his or her problem. They must have done something to bring it on themselves. Being compassionate is for losers, after all. And to get ahead in life, you need to have a high opinion of yourself. Because humility is for those who can't stand on their own two feet. But for those who believe in Jesus Christ, this is a picture of faithful Christian conduct. Of one transformed, who has a transformed life by the Holy Spirit. It's the picture that reflects the glory of the church as being one with Christ. This distinguishable character reflects the attitude of the hearts of those who have been given new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. These virtues, beloved, are a reflection of the mind and the actions of our Savior. And this distinguishable character naturally then leads to the honorable quality of Christian conduct. Peter says, do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing. Now, if we're honest, we will all admit that the natural inclination of the sinful heart is to do what Peter says not to do. I'm sure you've heard the phrase, I don't get mad, I get even. Maybe you've said it, maybe you've acted on it. Boys and girls, you've got to be careful here. If we are honest, each of us will admit that there are times when we do try to get even. We do try to retaliate and strike back when someone has attacked us in some way. Now boys and girls, I know that you struggle with this. Especially with your brothers and sisters. I did. I did. So often when a child hits their brother or sister and mom or dad says, well, why did you do that? The answer is, well, he or she hit me first. Or she took this from me. Or he messed up what I was doing. You see, by nature we want to defend ourselves and our turf, don't we? And the pressure even for God's people, for professing believers, is so great to do this. Because people without principle or like-minded beliefs may rip our reputations to shreds. Cruel people may fling one hurt at us after another. People who are filled with spite may very well cast our names into the rubbish pile. And when this happens to us, we want to strike back. But Peter says, don't do it. Don't do it. In the original language, the original Greek gives us the idea that some in the church were doing this. They were returning evil and insults because the way Peter says it, he is saying, stop doing this and don't ever do it again. Just as you are to make it a life habit to live in harmony, to be sympathetic, to love as brothers, to be compassionate and humble in the very same way. Make it a life habit to not repay evil for evil or insult for insult. And what is Peter's authority for what he says? What is the ground he stands upon supporting what he says? Very simply, Jesus Christ and His example. If you go back to chapter 2, verses 21 to 23, we read, To this you were called because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in His steps. He committed no sin and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate. When he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. And again, we read together in Romans 12, verses 17 through 19, Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written, it is mine to avenge, I will repay, says the Lord. And then Paul goes on, On the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Instead of repaying evil and insults, Peter commands Christians to do that which is simply out of the ordinary in a pagan world. To repay with blessing. Imagine that. That's the honorable quality of Christian conduct. Not getting back at, not getting even, but blessing instead. Again, as Paul says in verse 14, bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. And Peter draws support for this from Old Testament Scripture. In verses 10-12, he quotes Psalm 34, which we hope to look at next time we consider 1 Peter. But he says there, Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good. He must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. To bless here, as Peter is calling for, we might say, means to pray for them. To be a blessing to them with our words and our actions. To promote their interest and well-being to the best of our ability. Those who have received the saving grace of God are now commanded to be gracious to those who haven't. Jesus said, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. Why? that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. This honorable quality of blessing is evidence of sonship. Beloved, Peter commands this kind of an attitude and action to be demonstrated in and from the church. So that as he says in chapter 2, verse 15, that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. The Christians call for response. In our response, the Christian's call is blessing for cursing. It's kindness for cruelty. It's mercy for meanness. This is only possible for those who are in Christ, for those who have been given that principle of new life, who are moved and governed and lived in by the Holy Spirit of God. Because if you do not truly believe in Jesus Christ, then like the world, you will scoff at Peter's instructions. They make no sense. They're foolish because in the eyes of the world doing what Peter says, it's only a recipe for disaster and for failure. But for the child of God, it can only be this kind of Christian conduct. You see, this kind of behavior and true Christianity are to be synonymous. And as the text points out, there is a blessed result of this conduct. He says, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. God's people have been called, chosen, or elected from before the foundation of the world as we hope to consider tonight with Article 16 of the Belgian Confession which deals with eternal election. God's people have been called, chosen, elected to inherit His blessing. And this blessing Peter is speaking of simply is salvation in the fullest sense of the word. Everything we could say about it. Redemption, justification, adoption, sanctification, grace, glory, blessing, life everlasting. This is inherited by the child of God. By the adopted child of God. And that means that it is a free gift. No one earns an inheritance. It is given without any merit. And that blessing belongs to believers in part in this life to be given fully in glory one day. But in the meantime, as long as it is today, believers are also called to exercise the Christian conduct that we've been talking about. That Christian conduct is evidence. Evidence of the spirit of regeneration. Evidence of having been born again of that imperishable seed, as Peter says. It is evidence that one is an heir of the glory of God and life eternal through Jesus Christ our Lord. Congregation is God's people. We have been blessed to be a blessing to each other. To each other. And to the world. That those who do not know Christ might get a glimpse of Him in and through His people. Again, as Peter has done over and over throughout this letter, He's not giving a list of options to pick and choose from, as you will, but a list of commands. If you are a child of God, a privileged pilgrim, you are commanded to practice Christian conduct. It can be no other way because this is what Christian behavior in the name of Jesus is. We are called to imitate our Lord Jesus Christ who fulfilled all righteousness in our place. That's the only reason we can begin to be righteous before our God. And it begins here in the church. Through our actions and attitudes toward one another. Toward our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. You see, beloved, if it's not practiced in here, it won't be practiced out there. It can't be. It's impossible. And if you try, it's hypocritical. And boys and girls and young people, this call for Christian conduct is for you too. Every bit as much for those of us who are older. It's for you too. You are very much a part of that covenant community. Will this be easy? No. Again, it goes against the grain of the attitude of our worldly neighbors. The Christian life isn't necessarily an easy life, but it's definitely a blessed life through Jesus Christ. And it's only through the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit that you will practice Christian conduct. If you do not believe in Jesus Christ by faith, then none of this will make sense to you. And instead, you will practice some sort of an alternative lifestyle and you will deprive yourself of God's blessing. And may the Holy Spirit of God bring you to new life in the name of Jesus and make you a part of that community of Christ. But as God's people, may we see the beauty of Christ's bride, the church, and each believer who is a part of it. May we cherish and love each other. Cherish and love each other in the name of Jesus, our perfect brother. You see, because of His perfect righteousness, we don't seek to exercise this Christian conduct to get saved. but to demonstrate that we are saved in Him. Beloved, Jesus Christ didn't get mad. He didn't get even. He overcame. So that His church might have life and have it abundantly. He is the perfect model of ecclesiastical correctness. May you and I faithfully follow His example and the power of His saving work. Amen. Shall we pray? Father, as we bow before you at the close of this sermon together, we thank you for your word. We thank you for your word of truth. Sometimes it's hard, O Lord, to consider what it is you call your people to be in the strength of your spirit. But yet, Father, continue to teach us. Continue to admonish us. encourage us, challenge us, and lead us by the power of your Holy Spirit that indeed more and more each day we would grow in faith, hope, and love. That we might demonstrate that with one another as brothers and sisters in Christ as well as in our relationship with the world. Not worrying about the spite of the world, not worrying about the abuse that may come our way, But knowing that we are eternally strong in our Lord Jesus Christ. To Him be all the praise and the honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.