Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

26 November 2026

Reading From I Peter 3

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For,

“Whoever would love life
    and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
    and their lips from deceitful speech.
They must turn from evil and do good;
    they must seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
    and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”—I Peter 3:8-12

Following these precepts from God given through Peter had such benefit to our interpersonal relationships. In order to be like-minded, we need to communicate with one other in a loving way that seeks to understand more about the other person than to pick them apart and treat them down. This requires us to be quick to listen and slow to become angry. I would add the need to listen not for an opening or break in the conversation to be sure we get a point across, but to listen with the sincere goal of understanding one another and do so with compassion.

Peter knows the Lord personally and from his Rabbi of Rabbi’s teaching regarding love for one’s enemies flows this passage about repaying evil with blessings. Paul also speaks of overcoming evil with good. Bless, pray for and do good to those who oppose us. The power of the Holy Spirit will miraculously change hearts and minds and situations if we are faithful and obedient to follow these directives.

“Gracious and loving Heavenly Father, I pray that You would help me love my enemies. Give me Your eternal perspective on my relationships. Help me to be quick to listen and slow to speak, slow to become angry. Forgive me for my sins and shortcomings. Empower me to be better and do better for Your glory and for the good of my family, friends, community, region, nation and world. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things. Amen.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.—Romans 12:21

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speakand slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.—James 1:19-20