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's, 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 waste 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 its 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
