The Qualities of a Believer

Written By Betty Predmore

1 PETER 3:8 - 4:6

(November 25)

According to Peter, there are five qualities of a good believer and follower of Christ:

  • Love as brothers

  • Be tenderhearted

  • Be courteous

  • Be of one mind

  • Have compassion for one another

By living life this way, you are a blessing to others. And the greatest way to RECEIVE a blessing, it to BE a blessing. The way to do this is to seek peace with others. Often this is hard. When it gets tough, pray for God to help you.

We must guard our tongues and be watchful of what we say. Once spoken, you can't take it back. Words can be forgiven, but they are not forgotten.

With a sanctified heart, we can be faithful and hopeful, even when we are suffering. We can be blessed, even when persecuted. We must always be ready and willing to testify to the goodness of God, despite our situation. There will be those who come against you, mock you, and defame you. Guard your testimony and don't give the enemy any ammunition to slander you.

In this way, you imitate Christ. He was persecuted, he suffered, he was mocked and defamed. People slandered his name with relish. But not once did he put his testimony at risk. Not once did he give any ammunition for the enemy to use against him. He was sinless through it all.

If we arm ourselves with the attitude of Christ, we will have the power to stand strong. Our goal should not be to get even with those who come against us, or prove them wrong. Our attitude should be a dedication to living out God's will for our lives.

Sometimes, in order to do this, we have to walk away from people who cause us to sin or have negative thoughts. These are the people we are still called to love, but we love them from a distance. We need to be careful that we don't let the people of our past draw us back into the ugliness of heart that goes against the mindset of Christ. We don't want to join them when they have to give an account to God for their actions. We don't want to be involved in that day of judgement.

Aren't you glad the gospel is the way out of that? And the way into new life? When we read, believe, and act out the gospel in our lives each day, we will possess those qualities of a believer that testify to the world about the goodness of God.

Betty Predmore

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders. She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances. Through this ministry, women are encouraged and supported with scripture and life application. Mom-Sense helps women overcome life struggles through small group classes with biblical curriculum, individual counseling, bible studies, and other areas of support.

Betty also directs the Imperial Valley Life Center, which is a non-profit faith-based pro life women’s resource center. She has a passion for saving the unborn and supporting mothers through pregnancy and motherhood.

Betty loves to speak at events, sharing the love of Jesus with other women. She does this through practical life application mingled with God’s word, and sprinkled with humor. Having experienced a broken home, divorce, abuse, grief, single motherhood, blended families, and adoption, she uses the broken places and movement of God in her own life to share His word in an inspiring way. She enjoys sharing her blogs on social media as a way of reaching out on a broader spectrum. Betty has many speaking topics which can be found on her website: www.bettypredmore.com

As an author, she has had the opportunity to impact women and reach deep into their hearts with her words of inspiration and encouragement. Through Pondering Virtue and Whispered Grace, she has created wonderful tools for the woman who is seeking direction in her spiritual walk.

Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Moms Encouraging Moms and Gift of Thorns. Her blogs have appeared in several magazine publications throughout the years including Southern Faith Magazine, Purposeful Life, and Aspiring Woman Magazine.

While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days.


Previous

The Invisible Hand
Next

Detours Determine Destiny