Week 5: 1 Peter 3:1-7
The world definitely has an opinion on the topic of beauty. Media portrays a certain look, style, body type, and hair color to be the most desirable. Then anyone who does not fit that image -- and truly no one can be at their photo-edited, airbrushed best at all times -- spends an inordinate amount of time trying to conform to that ideal, or feeling bad that they don't. Isn't it wonderful that God looks upon our hearts and considers inward beauty, loving us just as we are? The only image we need to conform to is that of Jesus!
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 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.
1 Peter 3:3-4
It's this inner self that is often overlooked. In some ways, it's easier to dress up on the outside than to cultivate a gentle and quiet spirit. Outward appearances can be deceiving, but God knows what you're truly made of. He made you!
Chapter 3 of 1 Peter also has some advice for husbands and wives. Some of it is hard to hear, like the word submission. I'm reminded of the fact that God would never require something of us that wasn't for our own good, however. I'm not talking about mindless obedience to the word of man. I'm talking about faithfully fulfilling the instruction of the word of God. At the time Peter was writing this, women were seen as property. They were not treated with respect, but rather something to be owned and used at a man's discretion.
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 3:7
God was, and is, serious about men accepting women as equal inheritors of His kingdom. He was, and is, serious about women being examples through their speech and actions so that they may win their husbands to Christ without preaching or nagging (1 Peter 3:1-2).
This week's reading gave me some points to ponder. Frankly, I don't like being told to submit to my husband. I have to ask myself what God really means by that. I think this world (some Christians included) have distorted the meaning of the word. The example from this passage is Sarah, Abraham's wife. Although she struggled with impatience and wanting things her way in her time, she had faith in God and a great love for her husband. She did what was right, secure in her faith that God would honor her commitment no matter what Abraham might do. What can we learn from Sarah today?
I'm participating in a Sue Edwards' 9-week study of 1 Peter through Kregel Publications. Visit the other bloggers to read what they are learning, too.
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