Our One-Another Life

1 Peter speaks to Christians living under pressure.  Facing scorn or insult or even intense suffering for one’s faith in Jesus is a reality addressed repeatedly in the letter (e.g., 1:6; 2:20; 3:17; 4:12; 5:9).

In a time when hostility toward Bible-based Christian faith is on the rise, it’s more important than ever that we who follow Jesus stand firm in our beliefs and stand resolutely beside one another.  Today’s world resembles the pagan context of Peter’s time (see, e.g., 4:3), and in such a setting the Enemy (i.e., Satan) is eager to turn believers against each other and divide churches.

So, by God’s inspiration, Peter underscores the urgent need for believers to support each other and safeguard their unity in the body of Christ.  The phrase “one another” signals this concern:

• Love one another earnestly from a pure heart (1:22).
• Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins (4:8).
• Show hospitality to one another without grumbling (4:9).
• As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace (4:10).
• Clothe yourselves … with humility toward one another (5:5).

Of course, to have a community life of this quality, we all need to invest in relationships with each other.  Simply breezing in Sunday mornings and saying “Hi” as we come and go won’t suffice—Satan will cut through such shallow relations with ease.  Get plugged into a small group or Sunday class or mentoring relationship!

Where’s your heart?  Are you committed to loving people at GBC even if they don’t fall into your favored friend group?  Do you step into our body-life ready to bless others—especially those you might naturally overlook?  The prowling adversary (5:8) seeks to devour our faith and fellowship:  resist him, and love one another!