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40 DAYS OF LENT: DAY #9
WORD OF TODAY: 1 Peter 3:8-9 (ESV)
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 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.
THOUGHTS ON THE WORD:
Today we must consider the way in which the Christian is to approach daily life with fellow Christians. St. Peter makes this final petition in his first Epistle to “all of you”. This is for every Christian, one to another. First, we are taught to be in unity. We may disagree, but we are not to remain in disagreement of mind, or of our sympathy, or of our brotherly love, or of our tender heart, or of a humble mind.
Disagreement of mind causes division, and God’s people should not be divided, for a house divided against itself cannot stand. What may help you find unity of mind with your Christian neighbor? Christ followers are to also be in unity in sympathy and brotherly love. How might you show sympathy today, and where might it be found void? Consider also the expression of brotherly love you show today. Take time today to consider how your heart is hardened, and how it got that way, and finally consider the ego’s influence on the callousness of your heart.
Today you will have an opportunity to repay evil for evil, will you bless instead? Consider this as your alms-giving today. What might you fast from today that could be found a blessing to your fellow Christian on your left and on your right? Be sure to watch for the blessing that will come, from your willingness to be a blessing to another today.