Yes amen that is a perfect scripture Dan. Although we all fall short of the 1 Peter verse. What seems to be the norm in this sense is a member of the forum will come with something like: “this is what scripture means! Period!” Or someone in the forum would make something absolute others may see differently and the one who made absolute would put the other person down for seeing differently.
Now it may be true that the person with the absolute view is correct. Or maybe not. But in the way the absolute one makes it gospel, it interjects an air of force of certianty which to me would not be not equal to peace building but leaning toward exulting in knowledge that puffeth up (even thinking it to defend doctrine in cases). Now this reminds me of 2 Tim 2. Paul is intructing Tim to not be argumentative but to seek peace.
22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce [k]quarrels. 24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, skillful in teaching, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive [l]by him to do his will.
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I like the line: 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth
Because the focus is on what leads someone to the truth, not that we get it out of our systems asserting it kind of thing. And although some might think (and this was huge in the discernment ministry Calvnisit camp) that being actually gentle was too much like sugar coating it. This is at odds with the biblical concept of peace i believe and the Prince of it (Isaiah 9:6):
- Romans 12:18 - If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
- Matthew 5:9 - Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
- 1 Cor 14:19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
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If we look at 1 Peter 3 in general we see the following:
8 [d]To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, [e]loving, compassionate, and humble; 9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you would inherit a blessing. 10 For,
“The one who desires life, to love and see good days,
Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.
11 He must turn away from evil and do good;
He must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous,
And His ears attend to their prayer,
But the face of the Lord is against evildoers.”
The focus is on peace…not most accurate doctrine.
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See the whole of the chapter in contrast to evil is peace.
1In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. 3Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 5For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; 6just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.
7You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
8To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; 9not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing…
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I believe we reallize this is a time of intense deception and our radars are on high alert. This leans us to really not wanting to be deceived by others. Understood. But Timothy did not see it this way nor did Paul who instructed him. They would see that living in the fruit of the spirit’s living dynamic is more majestic than defending doctrine, ya’all, or one’s perceived correct view of “what iis really going on,” because what is important to the Spirit is people’s ability to hear what the spirit is saying. Not what we are saying in His proxy.
Obviously there are times to take a stand. And sometimes we affirm a concern. I don’t think Paul means everybody get barefoot and walk on rose peddles with each other. I believe he is aiming at coming out of being children where we can tend to be divisive. Where we might not have been trained (as Hebrews 5 says) to discern what actually helps edify a person unto and toward the Shephard. Instead of the delivery we prefer in the flesh of making sure that person gets a quick fix of a verse or doctrine as if from us. Its not ours. We don’t own it. But we are partakers and stewards of it. I see the exegetical drive in us being people that evolve into maturity knowing good for others from evil (or selfie styled ways) in leaning on our own understanding of what brings to Christ. What brings to Christ is to just walk in “the way” of the word. Even if we might want to GI Joe it up, or Heman it up, or James Dean it up to fit the movie we might be in in our imaginations i reckon.
Today we can tend to see gentle as for that weak sheeple who just follow a crowd and believe anything. But if we who might be mature care to patiently understand people and what edifies others for their good (Romans 15:1-2), it willl be in our hearts a measure of longsuffering. But also hopeful fruitful opportunity that cultivates discussion on levels not previously approachable. I think the goal is to mature into people like this while we fail and stub our toes all over the place.
Romans 15:1-2
15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.
I would also see speakING up in contrast to hussle or gaslighting is not cursing. It is being ascertive in peace. Another mature goal to strive for in. As it would appear to have need to marinate our hearts in His divine wisdom…
James 3
AGAIN – NOTICE “PEACE” HIGHLIGHTED
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
…and this does not happen over night. Amen. Blessings.
