Daily Scripture 2016.09.22

1 Peter 3:8-9 [Worldwide English] 8 Here is one thing more. You must all agree. You must care when others have trouble. You must love your Christian brothers. You must be kind. You must not be proud. 9 You must not do wrong things to those who do wrong things to you. You must not say wrong things to those who say wrong things to you. But ask God to bless those people. This is what you have been called to do. Then God will bless you.

I chose this version bc the words seem more colorful and intense. And not to minimize the Bible or imply anything about God's Word, but if salvation depended upon these two scriptures alone - I'm dead.
Let's face it - It's easy to agree when everyone agrees with US! But this implies that we agree with God's Word. (This also implies that we should know what God's Word is, thru fervent study)
With that said, we may say "but I do care about others... love my brothers... i am kind" but by whose standard? We may love, but in our own way. And we may place limitations on our efforts because of our inflexibility to perform these actions in God's way.
v9 is the benchmark of our love - It shows us if we are loving OUR way, or God's. Our sincere love for others comes when we are wronged. Are we able to give a blessing instead of "the wrong thing"? And not just some of the times, but consistently?
What I love about these verses is that we are commanded to "do". I feel like I "do" but when I am hurt or tired, then people need to "do" for me. In my mind, it seems fair (ha!). And yet these verses mention nothing about us in coping or dealing.. no stewing, nothing. We are commanded to keep "doing" irregardless of how we feel, because we are to exercise agape - God's active love - with one another. And when (not if) you do this, God blesses us for it! Although these verses seem insurmountable to overcome, the promise of God's blessing (and His Love for us) should motivate us to tackle this!