January 25, 2023 | Be On Mission
Seek Marital Harmony and Do Good in Life
Scripture: 1 Peter 3 (NIV)
1 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own 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, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,
“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good;
they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. 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, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
Devotional
A little cultural context helps understand the first part of this chapter. Previously, Peter encouraged Christian people to submit themselves to the oppressive authorities and Christian slaves to submit themselves to abusive masters. He continues that thought by challenging Christian women to submit themselves to non-believing husbands. In their day, husbands had complete authority over their wives. The goal is for believing women to win their husbands to Christ through their godly behavior, and for believing men to show their wives consideration and respect. This teaching was radically counter-cultural.
It is continued in the next section, when Peter writes, “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” The love of Jesus should so profoundly transform our hearts, that we love and bless others regardless of how they treat us. This teaching is radically counter-cultural for us as well.
All this is made possible only by the crucified, risen and ascended Lord Jesus. What do each of these actions of Jesus mean for your faith? Take a look.
Christ’s Death:
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (v. 18).
Christ’s Resurrection:
“Baptism…[is] the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (v. 21).
Christ’s Ascension:
Jesus “has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him” (v. 22).
Poem
Ironic Way
The ways of God
Confuse me
And yet
Herein lie the
Secrets
Of life
Can I trust God’s ironic way?
First last
Last first
Narrow for wide
Hard for easy
Silence speaks
Louder than retort
Submit to win
Lie down to rise up
Peaceful demonstration
Changed hierarchy
Truth for lies
Love for hate
Blessing for cursing
Prayer for enemies
Live to die
Die to live
Give to receive
Obtain to share
Joy in sorrow
Patience in suffering
The ways of God
Confuse me
And yet
Herein lie the
Secrets
Of Life
Can I trust God’s ironic Way?
