1 Peter 3:8-12. 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. For, “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.”

Living in harmony is easy to say but extremely difficult to do. People usually make an effort to do so with their friends and neighbors and family members, even if they are not always successful. However, if there are people who you don’t like, people who have different values than you do, people whose culture is very different than yours, you may not try very hard to “live in harmony.”

The same was true at the time of Christ. That is why God led Peter to address this issue in his epistle. These words are directed to the Church, believers, encouraging them to “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…”

Being the followers of Jesus, those who know who He is and what He did for us with His life of perfection, substitutionary death and subsequent victory over death, we have a calling. We are to live a new way. Our behavior should be modified, attempting to follow the example of our Lord Himself. “Turn from evil and do good.”

As you consider this calling, take note of the characteristics you should have: “be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.” Again, things easier said than done.

The good news is these are not things you have to do in your own strength. You have the strength you need available to you.

Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Dear Father, transform me from being a person who does not want to put in the effort to live in harmony with others into one who follows the example of Jesus, drawing on the power He provides to live as you would have us live. Amen.