Obedience Brings Blessings

1 Peter 2:18–25 NKJV

Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 Peter 3:1–6 NKJV

Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

1 Peter 3:7 NKJV

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

1 Peter 3:8–12 (NKJV)

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For

“He who would love life And see good days,

Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.

Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

FOUR AREAS OF OBEDIENCE:

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1- Servants to Masters

‌Slavery in the First Century is a diverse and multi-faceted topic.

‌It is imperative that we examine Scripture through the lens of the WRITERS and not our current world view.

‌We hear the word “Slavery”, and our collective minds stop at Alex Haley’s book, “Roots”

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The Greek and Roman Empires set their entire economic systems on this practice.

‌It’s estimated that, in the Roman Empire, 1/3 of the total urban population were slaves.

‌Slavery then was meant, not as a lifetime obligation, but, quite often, as a means to an end. For one to serve as a slave in a Roman Citizens home was an effective way to gain citizenship for one-self.

‌It is quite possible that Peter’s urging for Christian slaves to be obedient to their Masters, was to gain their freedom quicker.

‌Another aspect of Roman slavery to be considered, is that it was so entrenched in the socio-economic system of the time that for Christian slaves to become unruly and rail against the system, the power and might of the Empire could have been brought to bear on the early Christian Church, causing irreparable damage to the movement.

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In today’s world- Workers to employers

‌Honor your boss and do admirable work for your employer, whether you like them or not. Whether they like you or not.

‌Now, as then, we are not here for earthly gain, but to exhibit behaviors that cut against societies norms/transcend current cultural habits, to elevate the transforming nature of a life lived for Christ.

‌We are not here to please the world/culture/society but to do honorable work, with respect, especially in the face of harsh treatment, bringing Glory to God.

‌Is 53.9, Gives us the prophetic example of Christ of suffering the greatest of injustice for our sake, and our Heavenly Fathers Glory.

‌When accused falsely, Jesus did not retaliate, He took the sins of the world to the cross for us .

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2- Wives to Husbands.

‌Submission today is a dirty word.

‌But according to Peter what is to be gained by submitting far outweighs any personal gain.

‌A wife married to an unbelieving husband can win the husband over, by NOT lording over him, but rather, the wife’s everyday behavior, proper honor and respect, can win their husband over to God.

‌A wife’s conduct and her honoring her husband (Since they both took the vow) can be the driving force of conviction for the husband.

‌Because, in the last 2,000 years, These verses have been contorted, misused, mis-applied and flat out abused, it is difficult to read these verses in their proper intention.

‌Spousal abuse is a real and continuing problem. Those who have used these few verses to promote their own ego driven domination over their families, to include unspeakable atrocities of abuse of all kinds, Have no place in the Kingdom of God.

‌I believe that the Sanctity of Life, that Christians stand for strongly in the abortion arena, also applies to the domestic arena as well.

‌Theses verses DO NOT, lock any spouse, man or women, into a life of verbal, mental or physical abuse.

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Vv 3-4, “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—

‌4-Rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God

‌Peter is not suggesting a life of drab and dreary, but rather, a life not obsessed with outward appearance.

‌Since God looks to the inward heart of mankind, it makes sense that should be where our focus should be.

‌So, not only are you blessing your husband and your marriage, by honoring your husband, but it is also “Precious in the sight of God”

‌What better motivation can you have?

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3- A Word to Husbands

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Understand, gentlemen, that none of the aforementioned requirements of God, allow you, appoint you, or in any other way designate you as King of you castle, Chief Potentate of your Realm, or a divinely appointed Dictator of your own family.

‌Heads of Households, Fathers, had enormous power over their family- Latin- Patria Potestas - The POWER of the FATHER.

‌“He had a duty to father and raise healthy children as future citizens of Rome, to maintain the moral propriety and well-being of his household, to honour his clan and ancestral gods and to dutifully participate—and if possible, serve—in Rome's political, religious and social life.

‌In effect, the pater familias was expected to be a good citizen. In theory at least, he held powers of life and death over every member of his extended familia through ancient right.”

‌(Britannia.com)

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Guys, we are in this TOGETHER with our wives.

We live as Joint Heirs in God’s Grace-Together.

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Author Gary Smalley, wrote in his book, “If Only he Knew”

‌“I would venture to say that most marital difficulties center around one fact—men and women are TOTALLY different. The differences (emotional, mental, and physical) are so extreme that without a concentrated effort to understand them, it is nearly impossible to have a happy marriage...”

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Guys we need to, not only understand our wives, but we need to become life-long learners of them.

‌They change, as we do. We expect our wives to accept us as we change- Do we give them the same honor and respect?

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With the recent birth of our Grandson, Waylon, I am reminded of the precious responsibility God has entrusted us men with.

‌What a huge leap of faith God places in each of us, to lead our unique little tribes in the Teachings of Our Lord and Saviour.

‌And don’t think that just because Husbands only got a single verse here, that that’s all God has to say about it.

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Ephesians 6:4

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

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Proverbs 22:6

“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.”

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Colossians 3:21

“Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”

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Ephesians 5:25

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,”

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​Colossians 3:19

Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.

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Do you see the responsibility Husbands and Dads have?

‌I have often asked myself how did my kids ever survive my feeble attempts to raise them. I am reminded- BUT GOD

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If the focus is on submission, by either spouse, Gods intent for the relationship is distorted.

‌As long as the focus of a marriage is on the mutual concern of love and serving the other- The relationship is in line with Gods purpose.

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4- FINALLY- To All...

‌Live in...Harmony, Sympathetic, Brotherly Love, Compassionate and Humble.

‌Do not: Repay Evil with Evil, Insult for Insult

‌Rather Blessing, because we are blessed beyond measure in God’s Grace.

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IN CLOSING:

‌The only way any of this works is to keep our focus on the main thing.

‌God has loved us beyond measure, and we owe Him everything.

‌Everything we have in this life are precious gifts from God and need to be treated as such.

‌From our employers and employees, to our Families, Wives, Husbands and Children.

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If we cannot submit ourselves individually to the over-arching Authority of God in ALL matters of life, none of the rest will fall into place.

‌It is the number one reason the world is in the state that it is. Humanity has deliberately and with purpose turned its back completely on God.

‌Maybe for the last time

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Peter encourages his First Century audience to first and foremost live in the Will and Submission to God.

‌We are well advised to do the same.

‌The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982),

1 Pe 3:3–4

Scot McKnight, 1 Peter, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996), 196.