Welcome back to
Daily Bread and our study of Peter’s first epistle. In this portion of
Peter’s letter, he addresses a very important subject. For those of you who
have a spouse who is unbelieving, you’ll want to pay close attention. You
may remember that when we closed our study last time, Peter was telling the
Jewish believers that they were like sheep going astray, but have now
returned to the Shepherd of their souls.
He continues his
letter, Likewise, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands, because if
any are unbelievers, they also, without (belief in) the Word, may be won
(saved) by the behavior of the wives, while they (the husbands) see your
pure manner of living, in addition to your fear of the Lord. So what Peter
is saying here, is that if you’re a good example, your husband (or wife) may
be saved because of your belief and the way you live your life. Paul even
said, in I
Corinthians 7:16, you never know, you wives, if you might save your
husband, or how do you know, men, whether you might save your wife?
Speaking to the
women Peter says ... Don’t let your beauty be the outward adorning of
plaiting (braiding) the hair, and of wearing jewelry, or of wearing certain
clothes, but let it be the hidden person of the heart. Let your beauty be in
that which lasts forever, which is the ornament or a meek and quiet
spirit, which is of great value in the sight of God. This is how the
holy women, who trusted God in the olden days, adorned themselves, by being
in subjection to their own husbands, just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling
him Lord (Genesis
18:12), whose daughters you are, as long as you do good, and are not
afraid with any terror.
This is a great
time to take a look at
Isaiah 3:16-26.
This is what the Lord said would happen to the women of Zion (the women of
God’s chosen people), and it describes in detail, how the women of that time
dressed because they thought it enhanced their beauty. Now, you may not be
Jewish, but as you very well know, now we are all God’s people, so knowing
that, how do you think He wants His daughters to dress? While we’re on the
subject, you may want to take a glance over at the
book of Enoch, where
he explains how the fallen angels came down from Heaven and taught the women
how to shape their eyebrows, paint their faces, wear jewelry, etc. Oh, don’t
forget the next part, Impiety increased; fornication multiplied; and they
transgressed and corrupted all their ways. Now, you may feel it’s necessary
to use these things because in today’s world it’s necessary for acceptance,
but I ask you, whose acceptance are you looking for, the world’s or God’s?
Whew, a meek and quiet spirit sure looks like a better alternative.
Okay! Got caught
away in a little detour there, but now let’s get back to Peter’s letter.
Now, he’s addressing the men. Likewise, you husbands, live with your wives,
with intelligence, giving honor to the wife, as the weaker vessel, and as
being heirs together of the Grace of life, so your prayers will not be
hindered. Now you just know there are women out there who cringe when they
read all this because our world has taught that woman is equal, and being
submissive is wrong and bad. Some are saying, Hold on a minute, Peter,
you’re kidding right? Not so, says Paul. Go back for a moment to
I
Corinthians 12-24-26, where you can compare this part of Peter’s letter
to what Paul said about the body of Christ (speaking of all believers).
And those members of the body, which we think to be
less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor, and our
uncomely (less beautiful, or weaker, or seemingly less important)
parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no
need, but God has tempered (arranged) the body together, having given
more abundant honor to that part which lacked, that there should be no
schism (division) in the body, but that the members should have the
same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the
members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members
rejoice with it.
Think about that
for a moment. A heart is a pretty despicable looking organ. If you saw one
lying in the street and didn’t know what it was, you’d think it was quite
gross. But y’know, the heart sure comes in handy when it comes to living and
breathing, now doesn’t it? Yes, indeed, it’s a very beautiful thing!
What does Paul mean when
he said "And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it;
or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it." It means
that if any part of you is hurt, ALL of the body is affected. If one of your
family members is sick, it affects you and every other member of the family.
The body of Christ is created in the same way ... If one is down, it affects
all. One is an important as the other despite what administration they have.
A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link.
Peter continues,
Finally, be all of one mind (think alike), having compassion of one another,
love as brethren, be kindhearted and courteous, not rendering evil for evil,
or railing for railing, but contrarily, wishing blessings to each other,
knowing that you’re called to do that, and that you will also inherit a
blessing.
If you want to
love life, and see good days, keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from
speaking dishonestly. Eschew (avoid) evil, and do good, seek peace and
follow it. Because the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears
are open to their prayers, but the face of the Lord is turned away from them
that do evil. And who can harm you if you are followers of what is good?
But if you suffer
for righteousness’ sake, happy are you, and don’t be afraid of their
(unbelievers’) terror, neither be worried, but honor the Lord in your
hearts, and be ready always, to explain with meekness and respect, to every
man who asks you a reason for the hope that is within you (to be an heir of
eternal life), having confidence that, since they speak evil of you, as of
evildoers, they may be ashamed, who falsely accuse your clean living in
Christ. For it is better, if it’s the will of God, that you suffer for
well-doing, than for evil-doing. Because Christ also had once suffered for
sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to
death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit,
