1 Peter 3-4 – Submission
1 Peter 3:1-7
Here we go again
more scripture on submitting so it must be important to God. “Wives, in the same
way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the
word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives,”
– (1 Peter 3:1). In chapter 2 slaves are to submit to their
masters and we are to submit to authorities.
In the same way, wives are to submit to husbands according to the
example of Jesus. Submission does not
mean to put a husband in place of Christ.
It doesn’t mean to give up independent thinking, to give up efforts to
influence her husband, or to give in to every demand of her husband. It’s not based on less intelligence or
competence. It is not meant for wives to
be fearful and timid. It definitely
doesn’t mean wives are not equal in Christ.
Instead what it does mean is to have a quality of gentleness affirming
the leadership of her husband, being obedient like Sarah and acknowledging
authority. Wives should submit without
nagging. Marriage is very important to
God and submission is a command of God. God’s
established the order of the family. God’s
hierarchy is God, Christ, man, and woman.
Wives don’t submit because your husband deserves it, but because our
Lord Jesus Christ deserves it. It’s not
that you love your husband that much, but because you love Jesus more.
Peter warns that
beauty should not come from our outward adornment, but it’s the inner beauty
that counts. We should have a gentle
quiet spirit, which produces kind words and gentle actions and look to past
examples like Sarah who obeyed Abraham.
Outward beauty focuses attention to ourselves. Inward beauty focuses on Jesus.
Also husbands
should be considerate and have respect for their wives. It’s hard to submit when there is no
respect. Women are usually the weaker
sex so husbands need to love and protect them. Peter warns husbands not to
misuse their strength. Husbands should
understand her spiritual, physical, and emotional needs. If husbands mistreat their wives, they cannot
expect God to hear and answer their prayers.
Principle:
Christ-like
submission in marriage reveals the heart of God to our husband and family.
What do you
need God to show you to submit to your husband?
What are you
nagging your husband about?
Who will you
pray for? When you pray for someone, you love them more
and more.
Who is your
role model? Is it the girls on the
magazine cover?
Does your
refection in the mirror matter most or your refection in Christ?
What will you
change to be obedient to the Lord?
1 Peter 3:8-12
Peter describes
several desirable characteristics for Christians when dealing with each
other. Christians are to live in
harmony, be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble and not
repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing. – (1 Peter 3:8-9). We should talk out problems calmly, make
every effort to carry each other’s troubles and burdens, recognize others’
sorrows, be sensitive to the feelings of others and desire only the good for
others. We as Christians have benefits for
our Christlike behavior. We inherit a
blessing, the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, His ears hear our prayers,
and He is on our side and is against those who do evil.
1 Peter 3:13-17 reminds us as Christians how to suffer
for righteousness sake. We are not to be
afraid of whatever persecutors may do or say, because He is set apart in our
hearts and is ruler and has all authority.
We are always to be prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks for
the reason for our hope. We are to do
this in gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience.
Is your life
generating anyone’s curiosity?
Can you
describe the faithfulness of God even when you are suffering? Our
response to suffering opens doors to be a witness for God.
1 Peter 3:18-20 – “… he went and
preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago…” There are various interpretations of the
spirits this verse. 1) spirits in prison between His death and resurrection,
Christ offered salvation to those in Hades who missed it on earth (see Matt. 25:31-46; 2 Co. 5:10); 2) or
at that time, He preached to angels that sinned; 3) or before the flood, Christ’s Spirit
through Noah preached to people then living (Noah was a preacher of
righteousness, 2 Peter 2:5); 4) or spirits were in prison of sin before
the flood; 5) or spirits were in prison
when Peter wrote. I think these spirits
in prison are fallen angels held in prison waiting for judgment – see Jude 6, 2 Peter 2:4-5, 9. He went there to proclaim His victory over
sin and to declare His finished work, not to share the gospel.
1 Peter 4
We are to live for
God. We are not to live with earthly
desires like pagans who live in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies,
carousing and detestable idolatry. Pagans
are those who don’t follow God. They
will be judged because they refused salvation.
Jesus carried the sins of the world, but they chose to carry their own
and will be judged for it. He wants
people to know Him so much that He was willing to die for all and He wants
everyone to be saved.
We are to live
responsibly until Christ’s return. We
are to be clear minded and self-controlled so that we can pray. We are to love each other deeply, because
love covers over a multitude of sins. To
cover sin is to forgive them. “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is
covered.” – (Ps. 32:1). We are to offer hospitality without grumbling
and use whatever gifts we have to serve others.
“Do everything without complaining and arguing”
– (Phil. 2:14). When we speak, we are to speak as if they
were the very words of God. When
serving, we should do it with the strength God provides so God will be praised
and glorified. – (1 Peter 4:7-11).
How do you
show love toward others?
How is it
possible to obey all these commands? It is possible by the power of the Lord.
“Dear
friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering….” – (1
Peter 4:12). We as followers of
Christ will suffer, but there are advantages of our suffering. We will be overjoyed for our suffering when
Jesus returns. If we are insulted
because of the name of Christ, we are blessed for the Spirit of glory and of
God rests on us. – (1 Peter 4:13-19).
Principle:
Believers’
suffering in obedience to God’s will are blessed by entrusting themselves to
God.
What is
keeping you from being completely faithful?
Are you alert
and notice needs of others around you?
Your suffering
may have redemptive value for someone else.
Knowing that, how will you respond? We lead by suffering and we serve by
suffering. Sincere submission requires
humility. Suffering produces patience. Suffering is a way that God blesses us. He uses suffering for our benefit by purify
us through it.
How are you
suffering right now? God knows your pain. He cares for you. You are not alone. He will bring you strength to get through it.
1 Peter 5 – Leadership
Pastoral
leadership was important then as it is now.
Elders are teachers and leaders of the church and are examples and
instructors of faith. They are not to be
proud and think they are the boss, but are there to serve others. They are to be shepherds like the Chief
Shepherd, Jesus. Christians, especially
new Christians need their encouragement and support. They will be rewarded with a crown glory that
will never fade away. – (1 Peter 5:4).
If you are a
leader in your church, what is your attitude?
Are you
honoring your Saviors’ example?
Are you
serving in humility?
Peter gives
instructions to everyone. First it was
to authorities. Then it was to wives and
husbands, and elders. Now he talks to younger
people. They should show humility and
have a submissive spirit to older Christians.
They should treat them with respect for their knowledge, maturity, and
experiences. No matter who we are Christ-like
behavior requires we learn to submit.
We are to give
all our worries to God. “Cast all our anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
– (Peter 5:7). A proud person does not cast his anxiety on
anyone. They think they can do it
alone. We are to be humble in the sight
of the Lord. We must trust that God will
take care of us in every situation. We
are to be self-controlled and alert, resist the devil, and stand firm in the
faith. Satan is just waiting for
Christians to become lazy. He is out to
deceive and destroy. He is the enemy and
opposes Christians. He wants us to fail. Christians must fight the devil and not give
in. We must trust God and be strong. Peter wants us to know that the attacks of
the devil will not last, but the Glory of Christ will never end.
Peter started
his letter with a greeting of peace saying, “Grace and
peace be yours in abundance.” – (1
Peter 1:2). Now he closes with a
greeting of peace. “Peace to all of you who are in Christ.” – (1 Peter 5:14). Because of Christ, they can know God’s gift
of peace in their lives even in difficult times.
Principle:
God’s grace
makes us strong and steadfast when we humbly submit to Him.
What worry do
you need to submit to God? Stand on the promises of God. He promises to restore you when you suffer.
Join me here
next week when we will return to the book of Acts. We will study Acts 13- 14. -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.
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