Be a Blessing

“Finally, all of you have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.  Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” (1Peter 3:8-9 ESV)

I love the phrase “Finally”; it really helps me understand what Peter is trying to say. Peter says, “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.  Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” (3:8-9) Peter is telling us that we need to understand the importance of unity in the body of Christ. Personally, I wish we would read these verses before each church business meeting to remind all of us that our opinions are not the most important thing and that harmony, being sympathetic to others' opinions, loving like a brother, being kind-hearted and specifically “humble in spirit” is what God expects from each of us.

I really appreciate verse 9, where Peter says, “not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for this very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.” This makes me think of the old hymn “Make Me a Blessing,” written by Ira Wilson in 1909. Too many times, we forget that God has called us all to be a blessing to our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is one of the special ministries in the Bible that we can always be on the lookout to participate in.

Anyone can be a blessing; all it takes many times is a kind word, a written note, a smile, and asking someone about a prayer request they have previously mentioned, helping someone find something at the grocery store, helping a child find a parent, or tying their shoe. Take the time to ask a senior adult about their testimony or about a special blessing they have received. If nothing else, ask them about their kids and grandchildren. Just showing an interest in the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ can be a welcome blessing.

Now, I do not like the thought that we “do something to get something,” but that is how it often turns out. When we reach out to someone with a blessing, we are generally also the recipient of a blessing. I am convinced that we should live out the Christian life as taught in the New Covenant letters because we appreciate and love our God for what he has already done for us, not so that we can receive something from Him, but I never turn down a blessing from the Father.

"Living in Grace is not about what I can do, but about what Jesus has already done!"