The life of a believer is blessed even though this also means suffering for doing good.

In this passage we find instructions on harmonious living. This is as a result of the gospel where elsewhere we are told that believers have received ‘every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.’  Blessing, however, does not mean that everything is automatically trouble free, hence the apostle’s instruction here for the church.

He says they are to be ‘like-minded, sympathetic, loving, compassionate and humble. They are also not to ‘return evil for evil or insult for insult’ because that would not be consistent with their salvation. In Jesus Christ, God has granted them forgiveness for their sins … how much more should they be kindhearted toward other believers.

There is also a quote in this passage from Psalm 34 in the Old Testament. Here there are 3 more reasons given for loving other Christians … 1) ‘the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous’ 2) ‘God’s ears are attentive towards the righteous’ and 3) ‘the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.’