I want to talk to you personally, not just about your relationship with the world, or with government, or even within marriage, but your duty to one another in the body of Christ. In 1 Peter 3:8-12, Peter lays out the expectations for how I should treat you and how you should treat me. These aren’t just suggestions. These are commands from the Spirit of God.

Peter says: “Finally, all of you…” That includes me. That includes you. We are called to be of one mind—united in purpose, focused on the same eternal goal. Jesus prayed for this unity in John 17, pleading with the Father that all believers might be one just as He and the Father are one. You and I are supposed to be working together, not pulling in different directions.

But how do we achieve that unity? It begins with submission, not to one another first, but to God’s will. I have to make His will my will. That’s what Jesus did in John 5:30, when He said, “I do not seek My own will, but the will of the Father who sent Me.” If Jesus submitted to God, how could I possibly think I don’t have to?

Next, Peter tells me to have compassion, or, as some translations say, to be sympathetic. That means when someone else is hurting, sick, discouraged, or mistreated, I feel it. I care. I don’t just see a need; I’m moved by it, like Jesus in Matthew 9, when He saw the weary multitudes and was moved with compassion. That’s the heart I need.

Then Peter says I must love as a brother. That’s not just a polite handshake or a Sunday morning smile. It’s a deep, abiding affection that shows I truly care about my brothers and sisters in Christ. But I have to ask myself, Do I even know my brother? If I don’t know someone in the congregation, how can I love them the way Christ commands?

And right along with that, Peter says to be tenderhearted—or kindhearted. The opposite of that is cold-hearted, indifferent, or even harsh. But I was supposed to leave that old, callous nature behind when I became a new man in Christ, as Ephesians 4:22-24 teaches. My heart should now reflect Christ’s tenderness.

Peter also tells me to be courteous or humble in spirit. That means I don’t carry pride. I don’t see myself as more important than others. I show friendliness, gentleness, and humility, just like Philippians 2 teaches me, where I’m told to imitate Jesus, who made Himself of no reputation.

And finally, Peter says, “Do not return evil for evil.” That’s tough, isn’t it? When someone—maybe even a fellow Christian—says something cruel or does something hurtful, my flesh wants to retaliate. But Peter says instead of cursing, bless them. That’s exactly what Jesus did. When He was reviled, He did not revile in return. (1 Peter 2:23)

Why do I need to live this way? Peter gives two reasons:

Because I was called to this—this is what it means to follow Jesus.

Because there’s a blessing waiting for me if I do.

If I want to truly love life and see good days—not just in eternity, but even in this life—I need to live the way Peter describes. I need to keep my mouth from evil, turn away from wickedness, and actively pursue peace. Peter quotes from Psalm 34 here, showing that this kind of life has always been God’s will.

Because if I do these things—if I pursue peace, speak truth, and treat others with godly love—then I can be confident of this: The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers. But if I live in pride, bitterness, retaliation, and division, then His face is against me.

And that’s why I turned to Proverbs 6, where we’re told the seven things God hates. So many of them are the opposite of what Peter tells me to be:

A proud look is the opposite of courtesy.

A lying tongue is the opposite of honesty and peace.

A heart that devises wickedness, the opposite of compassion.

Feet are swift to do evil, the opposite of blessing others.

One who sows discord, the opposite of being of one mind.

So what about you? Do you reflect the kind of heart Peter describes? Is your life marked by unity, compassion, kindness, humility, and love? Or have you allowed pride, bitterness, or division to take root?

If you’re not yet a child of God, I want to urge you, don’t wait. You need to hear the gospel, believe in Jesus Christ, repent of your sins, confess Him as Lord, and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins. Then rise to walk in newness of life, living out these very qualities we’ve talked about today.

And if you are a Christian, but you’ve strayed from these duties—if your heart’s grown cold, your mind’s divided, or your words have returned evil for evil—don’t carry that any longer. You can go to God in prayer, ask for forgiveness, and He will hear you, because His ears are open to the righteous.

So if there’s anything that needs to be made right in your life, don’t hesitate.