The appointed Lectionary has us reading from Deuteronomy and from I Peter. I am not sure that the parallel is intended, but it struck me to read from these two books on the same day.
The section from Deuteronomy is Chapter 5. We find repeats of some laws given in Exodus, here they are expounded upon.
From I Peter, I read Chapter 3:8-12. Understanding the New Testament as the clarification of how it is that God wanted His people to see him and interact with him, I am struck by the way in which the writer starts this section. In lifting up guides for our lives he starts by saying, "Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind."
When discussions are had as to what it means to be a Christian, what is required of a Christian, what God expects of Christians, I wish this were the list talked about. I think it is a much better approach at how it is that Christ instructed his followers to live. I think it is a sharper understanding of the new life Christ desires for us. Unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind - these are gifts of God which make possible the community which bears the name of Christ.
May God bless you with these attributes; may God bless you with a community in which these traits are the guiding principals; may God help all of us develop these habits in our lives.
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