Gentleness, Respect in Responses

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These verses have been cited here before, but it seems worth while as a reminder to the Christians here (of all persuasions) to respond according to them. Also that a number of non-Christians also know these verses, and if they didn’t they now do :slight_smile: So let’s not add hypocrisy to our list of sins when we fail to try to live by them

8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,

     “Whoever would love life 
     and see good days 
     must keep his tongue from evil 
     and his lips from deceitful speech. 
     11      He must turn from evil and do good; 
     he must seek peace and pursue it. 
     12      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.”

13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil
The Holy Bible: New International Version. (1984). (1 Pe 3:8–17). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

I am not sure why some of the words are in bold above, sorry about that. There is no hidden coded meaning that I am trying to convey. The bold isn’t even showing in the formatting tags here
Happy to get stuck into the Greek if anyone isn’t happy with an English translation

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…and from a secular perspective, a social contract simply means that these conversations will be more enjoyable (except, perhaps, for committed masochists) if everyone extends the kindness to others that they would like to experience.

There is a reason that something along the lines of the Golden Rule has emerged in almost every major human culture and wisdom literature.

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