Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. – 1 Peter 3:8
Twelve months, most would agree, is a long time to endure a devastating pandemic. Lives have been lost, and most lives have been changed by isolation, restrictions on gathering, social distancing, no hugging, and everywhere you go, people wearing masks. But think about it—haven’t many of the people that you know (maybe even yourself) been mask-wearing for a long time… not letting anybody really know them? They “put on a face” and hide.
Masks place a barrier between you and others. In the case of the virus, it is the intention to protect both of you. But in day-to-day mask-wearing, it is that invisible barrier that allows you to conceal identity. It can create a barrier that effectively says “Keep Out!” God wants to take those barriers away so you can be authentic with one another. He desires that brothers and sisters in Christ would be in unity of mind, sympathetic, loving one another with tender hearts and humility. Jesus broke down the wall of inauthenticity between you and the Father. He wants you to take it down between you and your fellow believers as well.
As the nation begins to recover from the virus so that the physical masks may be discarded, consider ways to discard the invisible mask that isolates you from others. Begin by praying for them, encouraging them, serving them when you can. As masks come down, others will begin to see Jesus in you. Pray for courage and strength for Christians in Congress to be able to be authentic with one another. They need each other in times like these!
Today’s Verse: 1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Galatians 5:13-26
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
