A wise warning is to be heard in “Don’t put the cart before the horse.” It’s a phrase from a different era, one before motorized transport. And yet one that is easily pictured and understood. The basic wisdom is this – put things in their proper order or you will be like a horse trying to push a cart (which doesn’t work very well at all).
With horses and carts in mind, see if you can identify which is the horse and what the cart is in this bit of wisdom from 1st Peter. “Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another, and be compassionate and humble, not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8–9, CSB)
Do you see it? The cart is the last bit, “so that you may inherit a blessing.” We often put the cart before the horse. Yes, there is a great and wonderful blessing in following Christ. Both now and forever. It is not an earned blessing but is a granted, given, or inherited one. So often, though, we rush to climb in the cart without first hitching up the horse.
To boil it down a bit, we are to be a blessing before we inherit a blessing. We strive for unity by being like-minded. This like-mindedness is not some attempt at uniformity but more like a common goal of having the mind of Christ (Rom 15:5). We can be of the same mind and yet approach things from different angles.
But this is more than a mental exercise; it is also an emotional one. We are to sympathize with others. Walk a mile in their shoes. Be open to the feelings, trials, and joys of others. This will mean pushing aside our own feelings at times. This, again, is Christ (Hebrews 4:15).
Beyond sympathy is loving one another. Sympathy brings understanding; love is our actions in response to that understanding. A dozen sermons could be written on what it means to love one another. Our example is Christ, who laid down His own life for our sake (John 15:13). Loving one another means giving ourselves for the sake of others.
Be compassionate. In a way, compassion results from being sympathetic and loving one another. But also in compassion is a sense of vulnerability. A tender-heartedness that is felt and welcomed. Compassion requires that we risk exposing our hearts.
With all of these, humility is a must. I’ve known folks who were all of the above and failed at humility. Their pridefulness corrupted and reversed their good work. Having humility is also following Christ’s example. (Philippians 2:5-7)
And lastly, there is the matter of the tongue. Peter said, “not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing.” It’s tempting to use the weapons of our enemies on them. We feel justified in doing so. But that is not who we are, nor are their weapons our weapons. Even in the fires of persecution, giving a blessing is much more powerful than anything in the enemy’s arsenal. Jesus said, “bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:28, CSB)
We do not earn the blessings that follow. But we enjoy them nonetheless. By getting the horse in front of the cart, we are following in the footsteps of Jesus. Contrary to what some may teach, the inherited blessing is not success, as the world counts success. Money, possessions, and power pale compared to what God has planned. “That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9, NLT) Make no mistake: the blessings of God are far beyond anything we can imagine.
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