Biblical Building Block #24 Compassion One of Another (I Peter 3:8) PART 1

Today’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study Series taught at Fellowship Baptist Church, titled “Biblical Building Blocks for Strengthening Relationships.”

Biblical Building Block #24 Compassion One of Another (I Peter 3:8) PART 1

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

The Scriptures call for us to have the heart and mind of Christ. Peter calls for us to come to the right attitude about ourselves and others. He admonishes the church to conduct themselves in a way that honors and glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to grow up in Christ and go on to maturity in Him. Without a doubt, the process of spiritual growth is a long and often painful one. On the journey to maturity, we all spill our milk, say things we shouldn’t, and fail to act like Christians. Sometimes we complain or act out in frustration. There are times we have the knowledge, but we don’t have the will to do what’s right.

Peter is not telling the church to get along with everybody in the world, but the body of Christ. Peter gives the church a challenge for every Christian to be connected to one another in the Word, work, and will of the Lord. If we are going to do the work of the Lord in the power of the Lord, then we must be unified in our purpose, passion, and pursuit for the Lord Jesus.

Five thoughts are advanced regarding Christian living.

I. Concord (I Peter 3:8a,)
I Peter 3:8a, “…be ye all of one mind…” Peter says, we are to be “all of one mind”. This is a call for unity and harmony among the brethren. The idea is of unity of thought, or concord rather than discord. The word means to be likeminded; to be of the same mind. To be of one mind is to think alike. As believers, we must keep our minds on the same things. Thinking determines direction. Proverbs 23:7, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Our actions are the fruit of our thinking. In Philippians, Paul gives us the key to being like-minded. Philippians 3:5, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…”

We have the mind of Christ to:
1) Discern the will of God.
2) Declare the Word of God.
3) Demonstrate the works of God in this world.

We are called as Christians to be of one mind in our principles, purpose, and passion for Christ (Romans 15:5-6). As believers, we must focus our minds upon Jesus Christ and His Great Commission. One of the reasons our church continues in harmony and unity is because we stay in the Scriptures and develop the mind of Christ. The early church operated in harmony. The phrase one accord is used several times to speak of their unity (Acts 1:14; 2:1, 46; 4:24, 31-37; 5:12; 8:6; 15:25). Psalm 133:1, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

1) We must keep our minds upon becoming just like Jesus, being conformed to the image of Christ. (Romans 8:29, II Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:10; Colossians 3:10)

2) We must keep our minds upon living holy, righteous, and pure lives. (Romans 12:1-2; II Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14; I Peter 1:15-16; II Peter 3:11-12)

3) We must keep our minds upon growing spiritually. (Galatians 5:22-23)

4) We must keep our minds upon carrying out the ministry and Commission of Christ. (Matthew 28:20; Luke 19:10; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; II Corinthians 5:20; II Timothy 2:2)

II. Compassion (I Peter 3:8b)
I Peter 3:8b, “…having compassion one of another…” Believers must have compassion for one another. The word compassion means sympathy; to actually feel with others. Compassion carries the idea "feeling with or having the same feelings." We get our word sympathy from it. Unity cannot exist unless believers feel compassion and sympathy for one another. Believers cannot be selfish and rude; cannot be seeking attention and seeking to get their own way if they are to be unified. Unity demands sympathy; unity demands that believers feel for one another—that they feel deeply, so deeply that they actually experience what other believers experience: pain, hurt, abuse, suffering, joy, and rejoicing.

Compassion is suffering with another. We often take our words sympathy, pity, or mercy to mean compassion. Compassion is the key to “…making a difference” (Jude 22). In the New Testament, Jesus was moved with compassion when He saw the multitudes. What we see ought to move our hearts. Compassion is a mixed passion, compounded with love and sorrow. The love of God in us will move us to compassion when we see the needs of others (I John 3:17).

Bible examples of compassion would include Jesus Christ, the father of the prodigal son, and the Good Samaritan.
Having compassion one for another is seen by what we do. Compassion often results in forgiveness, a helping hand, or giving what we have to meet the need of others. C. H. Spurgeon said, “There is very sweet grace called sympathy which is seldom found in persons who have no troubles.” It is not simply feeling pity, but identifying with the hurts and heartaches of others (Romans 12:15; 15:1; Galatians 6:2).

It means to feel for others so much that...

1. one suffers with those who suffer.
2. one weeps with those who weep.
3. one rejoices when others are honored.
4. one grieves with the sorrows of others.
5. one understands the pressure that a leader is under when he has to lead.
6. one hurts with those who are criticized and attacked.

Thank you for reading PART 1 of Biblical Building Block #24 of this series. Please visit this website tomorrow for PART 2 of Biblical Building Block #24 of this series.

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