Thursday, November 21 - 1Peter 3

1 Peter 3

New International Version (NIV)

3 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.

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UNFADING BEAUTY

Seduction has become a major factor in American culture.  Sexy attire -- more skin -- less modesty -- all seem to be part and parcel of high schools and colleges throughout the land.  

The upshot seems to be that too many young ladies have been deluded by the myth that what matters most is "luring" a young man rather than creating a meaningful relationship with him.   And, of course, the next step of giving him your body is not far behind. 

It concerns me that the lines of propriety have moved so far away from where they once were, and that sex has become more recreational than a reflection of a deep and abiding love.

Peter, here, encourages the women of this place to attain toward the higher things -- to build relationships on things deeper than sex and appearance.  

I wish that more young people would set their sights on faith as the key to attaining their dreams for a wonderful future -- that they would seek a deep relationship with Christ before they seek a deep relationship with a young man or woman of the opposite sex.  And bonding with someone underneath the cross of Jesus and uniting one's hopes and dreams with Him as the Guide will do amazing things to transform our relationships into things of beauty.

Please keep all of our young people in your prayers as they seek to keep integrity in a seductive world. 

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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.

Suffering for Doing Good

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 heavenand is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.