Few Among Many

“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.” 1 Peter 3:8

Personal struggles and suffering often dictate how we respond to others and God. Peter wrote to God’s people struggling amid times of persecution, encouraging them to persevere for the Lord Jesus Christ. He instructed them to be like-minded (according to God’s Word), sympathetic and courteous, showing compassion toward one another. They were to humbly love and serve one another as brothers and sisters, belonging to the same family in the Lord. Showing pity expresses tender-heartedness toward fellow believers who are troubled or have erred along the way; Christ showed us compassion and forgiveness; we should do the same for others. Genuine born-again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ treat others courteously—with humble friendliness, which is sometimes challenging.

Christians should have a ready reason for their Christianity for anyone who asks. God-followers love others and do good (words and actions), even toward those who do evil toward us; seek peace and pursue it. Peter’s instructions in this verse on godly living are a few among many in the Bible. Jesus said we keep God’s commands by loving Him above all others and others as we love ourselves (Matt 22:37–40). When we fulfill our calling, we honor our heavenly Father; the grandest blessings await the faithful beyond this life when we see our Savior face-to-face.