Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Peter 3:8-10 (New Living Translation)

8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.

Peter is writing to Christians. This is the way Christians should live. This is not the way most people in this world live.

This is a different way.

Do:

• sympathize
• love
• bless

Be:

• tenderhearted
• humble

Don’t:

• pay back evil
• retaliate
• insult

Most people would say that such a life is naive. You are waiting for someone to crush you. Perhaps, but this is a different way.