Harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit Body of Christ.

​“To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not 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.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/100/1pe.3.8-9.NASB1995

Harmonious

What does harmonious mean? Most translations say one mind or like-minded. So harmonious would mean to be in harmony with each other. We live in a media-driven society that wants us to be in harmony with everyone who disagrees with our beliefs but will not be harmonious with our beliefs. But we are the ones with the truth of Jesus and we are on the winning side. So we are to be in harmony with those around us while we may disagree with their beliefs. But we can unite with them to accomplish the work we are to do. But even more, we as the Body of Christ are to be in harmony with each other getting rid of factions, quarrels, and deceit so that Jesus may be lifted up in our love for each other. 

“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭19‬-‭21‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/100/gal.5.19-21.NASB1995

Sympathetic

When one in our harmonious group weeps we should weep with them. When one rejoices we should rejoice with them. Once again we live in a society that says because I am miserable you too should be miserable. But the difference between the Body and the world is that we as the Body we move from sadness to gladness in a short time. My family went to a rodeo and one of the bull riders got so hurt they had to be carried off on a stretcher. While they were being tended to the crowd was somber and concerned for the bull rider but once they were safely in the hands of the EMTs we moved on to support the next rider with cheers and joy. The same kind of sympathy should be shown in our harmonious gatherings.

Brotherly

We are not talking about brotherly like Proverbs 17:17 says: “A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.” but like Timothy was instructed.

“Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.”

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/100/1ti.5.2.NASB1995 

We are to be a family with respect for the older generations as we would our faithful parents and with purity toward our generation as siblings.

Kindhearted

Kindhearted looks within the harmonious body with sympathetic brotherly love to be the best support for the hurting. It might look like a favorite meal cooked for someone who needs a bit of fellowship, or a planned day out enjoying something they enjoy doing but rarely take the time to do. It is a purposeful kind thing to do for someone else.

Humble in spirit 

Humble in spirit does everything for the best of the individual in our harmonious group. If it is a rebuke let it be done privately if it is praise let it be done publicly. For we want them to be the best person they can be even if it pits us against them for a short time.

Not grudge-holding but a blessing giver.

After we have been rebuked, hurt, or misunderstood we are to return blessings to them. We thank them for the rebuke for we know that God is working through them to make us more like Jesus than we are living out. When we are hurt we forgive them long before they seek it for we know that if we hold on to the hurt we only hurt ourselves every time it comes back to mind. If we are misunderstood we bless by going back to them wanting to clarify what we meant instead of how they took it.

Let us finish with this thought from Peter.

“but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/100/1pe.3.16.NASB1995