Submission Sunday PM

" 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, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, 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. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. 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." (1 Peter 3:1-7, NIV) [1]

The second chapter of 1 Peter is a lengthy admission to live as God’s people in this present world.  I would have to believe that the people of God in the culture of their day were very much used to authority structures.  And so Peter outlines the idea of submission to authorities as it ran throughout their lives and he did it as a matter of good conscientious witness.

·         Submission to all established authority. 

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. [2]

·         Slaves were to submit to masters whether or not they deserved it.

18 Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. [3]

This admonition continues through the 25th verse citing the example of Christ as our model.

And then in chapter 3 he moves to the marriage union.

·         Wives to be submissive to husbands. 

" 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, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives

Once again this admonition was to women who were trying to influence unbelieving husbands to come to Christ.  It was behavior for some greater purpose than personal happiness.

·         Husbands were to be considerate of their wives.

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."

 Now they understood the concept better than we do because the consequences were more immediate and severe.

Just as submission is a universal principle so is the problem of practicing it.  Most people chafe against authority structures.

"But in your hearts set apart 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, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed 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, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him." (1 Peter 3:15-22, NIV) [4]

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[1] The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984. Zondervan: Grand Rapids

[2]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 . Zondervan: Grand Rapids

[3]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 . Zondervan: Grand Rapids

[4] The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984. Zondervan: Grand Rapids