In the same way, wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even if some disobey the word, they may be won over without a word by the way their wives live when they observe your pure, reverent lives. Don’t let your beauty consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes, but rather what is inside the heart—the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For in the past, the holy women who put their hope in God also adorned themselves in this way, submitting to their own husbands, just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children when you do what is good and do not fear any intimidation.
Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker partner, showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. —1 Peter 3:1-7
One of the greatest gifts that our Lord has ever given humanity is marriage. It’s one of the greatest sources of blessing in this life
YET – marriage can be difficult as well.
Marriage will be messy if we approach it in a way that is contrary to God’s
Marriage belongs to the
Thankfully, The Lord has graciously given us instructions in the pages of scripture for how our marriages are to be ordered.
“In the same way, wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even if some disobey the word, they may be won over without a word by the way their wives live when they observe your pure, reverent lives” —1 Peter 3:1-2
Peter has just given us extensive instructions in the second half of chapter 2 about submitting ourselves to earthly authorities
We found that the Lord, in His great wisdom, had ordained things like Government and authority structures to enable human flourishment, bring order to chaos, and preserve and protect society.
We are called as the Exiled Elect to honor Gods good design and with the exception of them commanding us to violate Gods word, we are to submit ourselves to all earthly authorities
IN THE SAME WAY – marriage, like these earthly institutions that were
By the Lord’s design, The husband is to function as the head of the relationship. The wife is to submit herself to the good and perfect order and authority that the Lord established.
That doesn’t
Think about the relationship between Jesus and God the Father
Jesus is equal to God in value, dignity, worth – share all attributes, YET Jesus submits to the Father’s authority and follows His leading
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me” —John 6:38
“I do nothing on my own authority. But just as the Father taught me, I say these things.” —John 8:28
The
SUBMISSION – A wife respecting her husbands God-ordained authority, affirming his God-delegated leadership, and helping him flourish in his role through her own God-given giftedness
Peter then explains one of the many ways that this is accomplished is through how a wife understands her own beauty.
“Don’t let your beauty consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes, but rather what is inside the heart—the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” —1 Peter 3:3-4
Peter reminds women – instead of being fixated on external adornment that will eventually fade away, focus on “the imperishable quality of a
This gentle and quiet spirit that a wife carries herself with marking internal beauty is manifested, in a very real and tangible way, in the respect and honor that she shows her husband
“Just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children when you do what is good and do not fear any intimidation” —1 Peter 3:6
Peter turns his attention to husbands:
“Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker partner, showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.” —1 Peter 3:7
APPLICATION POINTS:
- Having a marriage that flourishes is dependent upon
- There is nothing contradictory about being a
- God-given authority is not a license for a husband to do what he
MARK YOUR CALENDAR - A Holy Home Workshop #1, “Christian Marriage” will be held on March 16th at 5:00pm