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Most of us have heard this saying before: “You are the only Bible some people will ever read.” It can be a bit of a cliché, and it can be wrongly applied, but is there any doubt in your minds that our lives are on open display, and people are watching? Granted, some are watching, hoping to find fault with us. But some are watching, wondering if it really is possible to know God and to experience true shalom.

This morning let’s study the words of Peter, one of Messiah’s great emissaries; a man with obvious flaws, but whose loyalty to Messiah Yeshua made him the right choice to be an apostle. Let him instruct us on what it means to conduct ourselves with godliness in all circumstances.

To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;

Harmonious (homophone – “same sound”)

We are called to live harmoniously. But that doesn’t mean our goal is for everyone to be exactly the same, or to agree on everything. This word harmony is a musical term. Let me tell you what it doesn’t mean. It doesn’t mean that everyone is singing the same note (that would be melody), but it does mean that everyone is singing a note that, in a given key, is compatible with every other note. Harmony is actually controlled tension – cooperation between different notes and cooperation in volume level, and properly done, it produces a lovely sound.

Now, on the other hand, imagine singers or instrumentalists refusing to play or sing in the same key, or refusing to balance their volume with each other and some nearly shouting at the top of their voice. How do you think that would sound? What would you hear? There’s a word for it: cacophony – awful, irritating noise.

God didn’t create us using a cosmic cookie-cutter; each of us is unique. As followers of Messiah Yeshua, we are clearly called to unity; but that isn’t the same as uniformity. Being one in the Lord doesn’t mean that we are going to all be the same, look the same, have the same abilities or the same likes and dislikes. Your individuality is part of the gift of who God made you to be. But just as musical harmony requires cooperation, harmony in a community requires cooperation; it’s a choice. In fact, it’s an important choice, with important consequences. When we who claim to follow Yeshua live disharmoniously, it sends a false, inaccurate message to outsiders. It suggests that Yeshua doesn’t transform lives; that despite what we claim, you’ll be the very same selfish, combative person when you follow Him that you were when you lived according to the ways of the world.

Sympathetic (sumpathis – “suffering/feeling together”)

Just as we are to have the “same sound” we are to have the same heart. Are you affected, either for joy or for sadness, by the things happening to your brothers and sisters? Are the words “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” merely a creed recited weekly, or are they an ongoing reality in your life?

Brotherly (philadelphos)

Proverbs 17:17 says, A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 18 tells us, There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Before I was saved, I didn’t go around calling people “brother”. To me, the word conveys more than an emotional bond, but a commitment. In my book, you don’t call someone ‘brother’ unless you’re commited to having their ‘6’ (watching their back). So I try to be discerning in my use of the word. I have friends who aren’t yet believers, and though I have genuine affection for them, I try to refrain from calling them ‘brother’ so as not to give them a false sense of security.

There is both a commitment and an exclusivity to being someone’s ‘brother’ or ‘sister’. And it should be obvious to anyone watching. The night I first walked into a church at a friend’s invitation, the first thing I noticed was the sense of brotherliness and affection I saw between the people. And you’d better believe, I was paying attention to that. At that point I didn’t need much excuse to disbelieve. But the genuine affection and good will I saw there that night was disarming. It helped pave the way for my salvation.

Kindhearted (eusplagnos – from root for “inner parts” + prefix “good”)

Some of you are kindhearted and it comes naturally to you. Some of us have to make an intentional effort. And every one of us has blown it at times and been short-tempered with people. Part of being kindhearted is simply giving the other person the benefit of the doubt; so that when there is conflict, we proceed on the assumption that the offense was unintentional. It makes for ease in reconciliation, and that is crucial! But being kindhearted also means allowing yourself to be vulnerable; so it definitely isn’t for the faint-hearted.

Humble in spirit (tapeinofrones – humble/lower status + “opinion of”)

It shouldn’t take a lot for us to be humble; just being honest with ourselves ought to do the trick. The Greek root of the word here means to reckon oneself at a lower status, the best definition I ever hear for humility was this: “Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself. It’s thinking of yourself less.” To be humble in spirit is to not insist on your way; to be gentle and reasonable. Humility requires that we be secure in who we are. Someone who is insecure can’t afford to be humble. He’s worried that others will see him as weak.

And that concept leads into verse 9:

…not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.

Have you ever wondered why some people are able to respond with patience and kindness when wronged, while other people react with anger and vengeance? The answer is really quite simple: the more secure you are about your identity and your worth, the more likely you are to weather insult or attack gracefully. The more insecure you are about your identity and worth, the more likely you are to strike back. When you know in your heart of hearts that you are loved and are of such worth to the Father that He sent His Son for you, then it isn’t such a big a deal when you’re wronged by men.

Think about it this way: isn’t it usually the little dogs that do all the yapping and get up in all the other dogs’ faces? And who’s the one that’s calm and quiet? The big dog! The insecure one is constantly trying to compensate by putting on a facade of strength. The one who’s secure has nothing to prove and saves their energy for more worthwhile endeavors.

Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, tells us not to return evil for evil or insult for insult. Well, given who we are in the Lord, and considering that our names are written in the Book of Life, he’s not asking anything unreasonable of us. You and I should be the most secure people on the planet! We can afford to take a few hits when we know that we’re citizens of Heaven!

But that’s the easy part. We’re told that it goes beyond just not taking revenge or responding with insult for insult. We’re supposed to bless those who do evil to us. That’s something else altogether! You know, a person could look outwardly like they’re obeying this word by not looking for payback. But inwardly they might be harboring bitter resentment. Giving a blessing in return for evil is really the litmus test of forgiveness.

But we need wisdom and discretion about how to go about blessing someone who has cursed us. When someone hurls an insult at you, that isn’t the best time to say, “God bless you!” because what you’re conveying to that person is that you consider yourself morally superior to them, and it usually makes them even angrier, and less likely to seek God’s forgiveness or yours. And you might not even be saying it in genuine love, in which case you should leave God’s name out of it. Let me suggest that, since each person and each situation is unique, you should not do anything hastily. Take time to think through and to ask God about what is the best thing you could do for this person. Is it someone you know? Are you perhaps aware of a situation they’re in that you might be able to do something privately and quietly to help with, as a means of offering friendship? Would a note sent privately be more in order? There isn’t really a sure-fire formula, but rather than doing anything immediately, ask God for wisdom for each situation.

In verses 10–12 Peter paraphrases Psalm 34, to emphasize the relationship between our conduct and receiving God’s blessings.

For, “The one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. He must turn away from evil and do good; He must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears attend to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

He isn’t suggesting that we can earn our salvation, but that this is the conduct of those who have a proper reverence for Adonai and want to see eternal life. At the heart of the passage is this phrase: He must seek peace and pursue it. Remember, the context is Peter’s exhortation not to return evil for evil, but rather a blessing.

Once again, it’s easier said than done. Peace requires two willing parties, and there are times when one party in a conflict refuses peace. Scripture doesn’t demand that we be naïve. Yeshua said we should be “innocent as doves” and “shrewd as serpents”. In Romans 12:17, Rabbi Paul echoes the same warning not to repay evil for evil. And in the next verse he says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live at peace with all men.” The phrase so far as it depends on you is vital, because there will be times when the other party refuses under any circumstances to live peacefully with you. If you have exhausted all reasonable efforts to achieve reconciliation and the other person is unwilling, you are not to be blamed. We are not expected to endanger ourselves or our loved ones through naivete, but to the greatest possible extent we are to pursue peace with all men. And, ultimately, those who pursue goodness will be vindicated, as Peter affirms in verse 13:

Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed.

We shouldn’t take this as some kind of iron-clad guarantee of a life free from trouble or from suffering if we’ll wholeheartedly follow Yeshua. It is meant as a general truth: serving the Lord results in a good life, and being zealous for what is good will keep you out of a lot of potential trouble.

But the inspired writer acknowledges that sometimes righteous people suffer unjustly. In what I believe to be the Last Days of this present Age, suffering for Yeshua’s sake is something we should pretty much count on. But when you are wrongfully treated or falsely accused or targeted for persecution on account of your faith, you become a member of a somewhat exclusive group of men and women across history and around the world who were counted worthy to suffer for righteousness’ sake, and whose reward at the Second Coming of Messiah Yeshua will be substantial!

This isn’t wishful thinking, and I’m not making it up. Yeshua Himself said, “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you on account of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in Heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12). And don’t forget who wrote this epistle – a man who experienced injustice first-hand on account of standing for Jesus; and more than once or twice. In fact, reliable early Church sources reported that Peter died by crucifixion – upside down; hardly what the world would call “success”. But Peter knew that on the Day of God’s reckoning, he would be vindicated and highly honored.

So many Christians tell me they hope they are taken out of the world before they have to suffer persecution or martyrdom, but Scripture consistently says that it is a high honor to be chosen to suffer for Yeshua’s sake. I don’t relish the idea of torture or martyrdom, but if it should come to that we will hardly be the first to suffer. If we fear God, we won’t fear any man, and death will not hold terror for us, because we know that Heaven and all its glory awaits us. And for that reason, in verse 14 Simon Peter, this time quoting Isaiah 8, is able to say with conviction:

And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,

The Psalmist said as much: Adonai Oree v’Yisha’ee, meemee eerah, Adonai Maoz chayyai, meemee efchad – The Lord is my Light and my Salvation; whom shall I fear; The Lord is the Defense of my life; of whom should I be in dread? (Psalm 27:1). In fact, didn’t Yeshua promise that in this world we will have trouble? So why did He say to take courage? Because He has overcome the world! We really don’t have to walk through life trembling with fear of wars or rumors of wars or earthquakes, famines or even the increase in lawlessness. On the contrary, we can be joyful and confident, which to many people will seem odd in the midst of difficult circumstances, and will certainly provoke questions – questions we should be prepared to answer, which is the thrust of verse 15 which follows.

…but sanctify Messiah as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Messiah will be put to shame.

To have composure in the midst of a world-gone-crazy is to reflect genuine faith in the all-powerful God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. When asked how you can be calm in the midst of life’s storms, you are given the opportunity to testify to the truth and goodness of Yeshua the Messiah. Peter urges us to always be ready – in other words, to look for such opportunities, and then to be prepared to give an apt answer.

Looking for opportunities means going out of our way to make Him known. That is why each of us should participate in evangelism. Are you proud of Yeshua? Do you love Him? Do you want other people to experience the joy of reconciliation and friendship with God? Then how could you not? This, in fact, was the hallmark of a talmid – a disciple: they were so proud of their master that they not only studied his teachings, but couldn’t wait to tell others about him. To this day Hasidic Jews make great boasts about the wisdom and virtues of their rabbis. How much more should we boast about the greatest Teacher who has ever lived, and how much greater our boast because He lives still?

The implications are great. How you answer that question about your faith is either going to make it easier or harder for the other person to understand the Good News. That is why we not only need to be prepared to answer people, but to do so with an attitude of humility and the awareness that this is a God-moment. When someone asks you to explain what you believe and why, you are being given a great honor – a wondrous opportunity! Even if you’re being asked in a less-than-congenial way, the tone of your response needs to be with gentleness and reverence.

The apostle tells us that we should expect to be slandered for Jesus’ sake, but that we need to have a clear conscience. If people say ugly things about you; just make sure they aren’t true. Live lives that reflect the holiness of Adonai. The day will come when the truth is vindicated; you and I in the meantime need to walk with Yeshua in integrity. Our inner world must be consistent with the face we present to others. Are you living according to God’s Word?

For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. For Messiah also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit.

Peter states the obvious: it is better to suffer unjustly on account of making a stand for righteousness than to suffer justly for having done wrong. But notice that he references the will of God. If you are suffering for doing what is right, there are four incontrovertible facts you should take to heart:

1. The suffering you are experiencing is God’s will, not happenstance.

2. He considers you worthy and, with His help, able to endure suffering.

3. Your reward in Heaven increases when you suffer unjustly.

4. You are walking a well-trodden path – the same one Yeshua walked.

May the Three-In-One God of Israel increase our strength, and at the same time give us integrity, so that our lives will reflect harmony, humility, kind-heartedness and zeal; and signal to other people that salvation and reconciliation with God is possible. And may we be fully equipped to answer those questions when they come; gently and in the fear of the Lord.