A List of Godly Virtues

“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” -1 Peter 3:8-9 (ESV).

Peter the Apostle wrote his epistles to instruct Christians in how to live. In context, his “finally” transitions here from the preceding instructions he had given to wives and husbands as to how they should live together in harmony and love (see 1 Peter 1-7). Peter had also included earlier in his letter how Christians should behave in a society where they were sometimes persecuted for their faith, how they should honor governing powers, and how, living as strangers in a land not predominantly Christian they were to lead faithful and exemplary lives.

      “Finally,” denotes a transition and a call to take special notice. Then he summarizes by giving a list of virtues that should be practiced by every faithful Christian. Let’s examine Peter’s list of virtues:

      “Unity of mind” calls Christians to live in harmony with one another. We have different gifts, different ideas and talents to bring to our church work and our Christian life lived out in the world. Like a quartet or choir that sings different parts, we can join in harmony of spirit and purpose to produce what is beautiful.

      “Sympathy” indicates that we really care for one another and those who are hurting. We feel with them and seek to comfort and help them.

      “Brotherly love” leads to Christian action. The Christian loves, but also he acts to extend that love in good works and consideration of others’ needs.

      “A tender heart” leads us to act upon our sympathy (compassion) and brotherly love. We cannot insulate ourselves to the needs of others. Jesus taught us that if we help the “least of these” we are doing the deeds as “unto Him.” (see Matthew 25:31-40).

      “Humility” is a virtue we cultivate, not seeking to call attention to our deeds of mercy but doing them “as unto the Lord.”

      Live to bless rather than to retaliate. Not “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” which is retaliation, living on the human level; but “return good for evil,” which is living a merciful and caring life, as Jesus has taught us and as He set the example for us to do. And note that when we bless others, we also receive a blessing.

      In this list of godly virtues, Peter is not calling upon Christians to do some impossible acts or to isolate themselves from real life. Rather, he is reminding Christians to approach life with positive and God-led virtues, and by faith and with the Lord’s guidance and direction to live a life worthy of the calling and the name Christian (like Christ).

      Prayer: Lord, help us absorb the meaning of these godly virtues; but more than knowing what they mean, help us to so incorporate them into our lives and manner of living that we can make a difference where we are, for Jesus’s sake today. - Ethelene Dyer Jones 10.01.2016.