1 Peter 3:8-12

8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters.[a] Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. 10 For the Scriptures say,

“If you want to enjoy life
    and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil
    and your lips from telling lies.
11 Turn away from evil and do good.
    Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
    and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
    against those who do evil.

The secret to success starts with submitting to God’s plan and seeking His definition of success. Which means that we have to first:

1.         Submit to Solidarity – Vs 8  “all of you should be of one mind”

We are called to cultivate coming together and complimenting one another not competing with one another.  We are called to cultivate a heart of harmony so how do we do that? First we have to look at the 2 different systems of solidarity, the World’s and the Word’s.  According to the world the starting point for solidarity is the idea that we are all equal and we all have value which is a true and wonderful statement and one that the Word of God agrees with. The problem is the world’s basis for equality and worth, it’s bases it on self where the Word shows us our sin. Why does this matter and what is the difference. Well the World says that you are special because of self, The Word says that you are special because of the Savior. He showed how loved we are in that He came to die for us. Sin reminds us that we find our common ground at the foot of the cross. But when we seek equality based on self it leads to striving which leads to strife. So let me ask you are you basing your worth on your performance or Christs payment on the cross of Calvary. When we see ourselves as sinners saved by grace we stop seeing ourselves as superior to others. When we view ourselves through the lens of salvation we see God’s grace not our greatness. We realize that it’s not about our work but His, so we stop striving to impress, we stop wasting our energy clamoring and competing and come together to compliment. The gift of grace cultivates coming alongside and kills competing. The question is am I going to choose to walk with and work with others or war with them?  Many of us have a my way or the highway mentality instead of the Masters way. Instead of the highway there is a holy way, God is inviting you to join and journey with Him down the holy way. God’s way cultivates a heart of harmony, the Worlds way creates a Hard heart. Are you agreeable or argumentative? Now unity or one mind does not mean uniformity, it means cooperation in the midst of diversity. God has given His people a variety of gifts, talents, backgrounds, personalities, and preferences and differences of opinion will exist. But even though opinions are different they should not divide but rather enrich the church, for Christians are called to be govern by God’s goals. That means we are going to have to get over ourselves, which for some of you may be a monumental challenge because you’re a pretty big deal to get over.  Are you going to follow the Saviors strategy or societies system to success?