1 Peter 3 — Wives and Husbands, Suffering for Righteousness’ Sake
Thoughts about serving others
This link includes a list of posts about Serving the Least, the Lost, and the Lonely.
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Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
Peter continues his discourse on living Godly lives in the midst of a pagan society in chapter 3. Wives are commanded to submit to their husbands, but not like an unworthy subject. Take a look at the “so that” phrase Peter write: “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 3:1b). My wife is such a strong and powerful leader that many would not appreciate how devoted she is to her husband. I am overwhelmingly blessed to have such an amazing wife. Daily I see how she blesses others with kindness and generosity. I’m won over all the time and so thankful.
Peter continues to emphasize that we need to “do good” (cf 3:11 & 3:13). I remember when Santa Catalina announced its new mission statement, “Do Well, Do Good.” One of the reasons we identified with the school was this is their DNA. From their website: “In the words of St. Catherine of Siena, the school’s patron saint, ‘If you are who you were meant to be, you will set the world on fire.’ Santa Catalina exists to assist each student in the pursuit of what he or she is meant to be. In so doing, we achieve our outcome: We shape students who will shape the world.” What would happen if we treated each member of our church with this type of respect? Lord help us to discover the gifting you’ve so graciously given each one of us and help us to set the world on fire with your love!
The most significant command is found in 3:15-16: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” In our present society, hope is the missing ingredient. The atheists have no hope for their world is completely self-centered. Many are flocking to their call, but the campaign will backfire on them, hopefully sooner than later! Without hope, we are lost, but Jesus Christ is our hope and he is the hope of the world. Being prepared to give an answer demands that we think about this constantly, that we keep a heavenly perspective while we live on earth. This should enable us to be gentle and respect others as we lead them to Christ. It won’t do to have a memorized, scripted answer. Peter’s command clearly requires a tailored response for each person and circumstance. This is significant. Lord, help me to gain an appreciation each day for the hope you have given for the world and give me the words to answer anyone who asks about my reason for this hope. Shape the words and the delivery of the thoughts so they may be appealing to the lost and inviting to your throne and for your glory!