The Calling

All of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called. (1 Peter 3:8–9, NIV 2011).

My Musings – “Like-minded.” Not just any mindset, mind you. “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant.” (Philippians 2:5, 7, NIV 2011). This is foundational, setting the stage for sympathy, loving-kindness, compassion, humility, and the ability to bear with the evil and insults that are directed at us. Having the mindset of Christ will transform us into having the heart of Christ — “the very nature of a servant.” To this, we are called.

My Advice – The pandemic challenged us all. We had no choice in that matter. How we responded to the challenge, however, was a matter of choice. Now that the pandemic has passed, can we say we are more of less likely to repay evil with evil or insult with insult?

One cannot have the mindset of Christ without having the heart of Christ. One cannot have the heart of Christ without first having Christ in their heart (justification — a one-time event). Only then can one grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ and develop the mindset of Christ (sanctification — an on-going process). How one is doing in that process is best demonstrated by how much of the mind and heart is being expressed through attitude and behavior.

Have you been called (accepted Christ as Savior)? If not, read my blog series “The Born Again Experience.”

If you have been called, but found yourself among the “less likely,” read my blog series, “Got Spiritual Milk?” Even if you found yourself “more likely” it might help you “in increasing measure.“

You can also purchase these studies at my “Store.”