"THE LIFESTYLE OF BLESSING" – September 13, 2001

1 Peter 3:8-9 – "All of you should be like minded, sympathetic, loving toward one another, kindly disposed, and humble. Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult. Return a blessing instead. This you have been called to do, that you may receive a blessing as you inheritance."

A tall order – "like-minded" may be the tallest. Do we have to be like each other? Do we all need to become the same? I don't think this is what is meant here. I think we need to look at it this way: more of a common mind-union with Christ, that we are all seeking this. I am seeking this union and so are you. We are doing this together, and so, we become more "like-minded" because we are all being transformed into the same image - that of Jesus. We will all then think with His mind and not merely with our own.

"Sympathetic" – understanding one another; sharing feelings; a harmony of feelings; looking with favor upon one another – as if those were your feelings. We need to step out of the box of our own selves and recognize the other person as someone just like ourselves, with real feelings and concerns. We need to consider those feelings legitimate as if they were ours. If we can't do this, it will be next to impossible for us to truly love that person. How about that waitress who has 6 tables, three of which have at least 3 children, and "you" didn't get your water refilled on time - huh? Be aware of what other people are going through – live a life of sympathy.

In light of recent events in this country - the bombings and horrible loss of life – I think I must say this. First of all, yes, we must be sympathetic in this situation as well. We must pray for those people who have suffered great loss and try to help in some way. What we can't do though, is carry that whole load of grief and sorrow. We are not able to do that. I don't think we were designed to do that - it will destroy us emotionally. We must be Christ in our circumstance and not allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by what's happening.

"Loving toward one another and kindly disposed" – Wow! Do we have to!? "I mean, I can secretly give money to people in need but do I actually have to act in a kind and nice way toward them?" Yip - you do. Maybe this is the hardest one. To just be a loving person to everyone – to have a kind disposition - that's what that "kindly disposed" jazz means. Such that people go around saying about you, "man, that Julie is the nicest person, I just like being around her." Genuinely looking at people as PEOPLE and not as something in your way, and treating them exactly as you would want to be treated (sounds familiar doesn't it). And un-kind Christian SHOULD be an oxymoron, but you know the end of that story, especially if you work in food service in a restaurant on Sunday at lunch time or in a Christian bookstore - yeee haw! I said that didn't I?

...and "humble"!? What the hell? (umm, I cussed didn't I - are there more important things? let's talk about them for a change) Sober estimation - humility is not just looking at yourself like a worm - it's being real about yourself; i.e.: if you're a good carpenter, don't say you're a bad one, and vice-versa. Just don't think, as you often do - I mean, as "I" often do – that you're the most important person in the room. Actually listen to what other people are saying ever now and then WITH REAL INTEREST. In the relationship department, which is what this is all about, that's where this hits the road. I've said this a million times, more or less, already but we at least need to get to the point where we look at other people as if they are (and they are) real legitimate people who have just as much right to occupy ground as you do.

"...evil for evil, insult for insult..." "You mean I can't slap 'em back!? – now, that's just not realistic." No, it just not "worldly-istic." It's very "normal" to slap back, but not very "love," not very "Jesus." And if we're not there yet, we need to be doing what belongs to getting there - building our relationship with God - and trying to practice these Godly ways. Bless those who curse you - be abnormal!

About this blessing thing - it's not that we do cool things, God sees how cool we are, is duly impressed, and whomps a big ole blessing on us. Nope. It's more that we simply participate in the lifestyle of a blessed inheritance – get in the flow of it – and we will experience that life. That's the Life of God by the way. We must participate in it and cooperate with it in order to fully experience it.