"Finally, all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy towards each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds." 1 Peter 3:8 (NLT)

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Melody is the tune you hum and harmony is what someone else sings to complement it. The harmony has entirely different notes but makes a pleasing chord with the melody. Those who can sing harmony take their cues from the melody.

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As Christians we learn to take our cues from the melody of Jesus through the Word of God. Peter calls us to have unity of spirit in harmony with each other.

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How do we have unity and harmony? Peter says we must have three commitments in our "church" lifestyle:

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(1) actively share the sorrows and concerns of those who grieve;

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(2) love each other just like a healthy family loves and values each member; and 

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(3) show compassion rather than arrogance as we deal with the failures of others who hurt us, recognizing that we are vulnerable to sinning and hurting those we love, too.

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PRAYER: Father, I confess that I have let my own oversensitive self be wounded and have reacted with pettiness when my brothers and sisters in Christ have not treated me as I felt I deserved. I know Jesus was treated so badly and shamefully by those he created and so I should not be surprised when things don't always go well for me. May I take my cue from the melody of forgiveness in my own life. Amen.

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