Utilize 1 Peter 3:8-15 Before Coming On Cf

As I was listening to my pastor teach on 1 Peter 3 this afternoon, I kept thinking it would be good to share it with CF. The disharmony I have been seeing on CF is in direct opposition to what 1 Peter 3:8 says, "...be ye all of one mind..." I know that is impossible with the various kinds of people here on CF, but it can be more possible with some of us. "...having compassion one of another, love as brethren, kind hearted, be courteous:" the rest of v.8 says. Imagine if we strove to apply these words with everyone on CF, and elsewhere. Sometimes we get rebuked, but v.9 says "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing, but contrariwise blessing..." Isn't that just like our Lord Jesus did after being arrested? The rest of V.9 says "knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing." We are not called to fight against people (though we can contend for the faith, and present God's Word accurately when needed), but we are called to be a blessing to people, that we should also be blessed. V.10 tells us to "refrain our tongue from evil, and not to speak dishonestly." May we be on guard, and not just type attacks against those that might attack or unjustly criticize us. In Mt 5:44 we are called to love, bless, do good, and pray for our enemies. How much more should we do this for those in the faith? V. 11 tells us to avoid evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. That goes against our (fallen) nature, but not our new nature empowered and led of the Holy Spirit. V. 14 tells us we should be happy for suffering for righteousness sake. Again, this doesn't come naturally, but supernaturally. We are not to let people trouble us, the end of that verse says. Finally, in v. 15, we are told to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts. I take that to mean to put Him in His rightful place, to put Him in first place, allowing Him to be Lord practically, not just in word. We are to allow Him to guide us in what we will read, how we will respond mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, and how we might respond in writing. How much nicer an experience, how much more effective we might be here on CF, if we did things as the Lord led, instead of without His leading. Of course not all will even attempt this, and things will not always be as nice as they can be, but let us consider doing our own part, of seeking to put God first, and let Him lead us to be a blessing. "So then, every one of us shall give account of himself to God." Romans 14:12. God bless.