Be… // 1 Peter 3:8
1 Peter 3:8 (MSG) | 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.
Here is a simple thought for today: when you look at the passage above from 1 Peter 3 — particularly how we read the various ways Peter wrote we should “be” — what jumps out at you? Peter follows up the “be” statements with several “no” statements. Do you find areas where you need to work? Ultimately, we are to run after peace for all we are worth. Since Jesus gave His life to give us the priceless gift of eternal life, we are all worth more than we can imagine. So, can there be any greater reason to help God cultivate good amongst everyone with whom we come in contact? I think not; therefore, let’s get after it! Shall we?