1 Peter 3:1-7

 

If we are striving to have a marriage that is centered on Christ as our strength, guide, and power, it will point others to Him. I believe Peter is getting to something here in verses 1 through 7.

Husbands are responsible to be spiritual leaders.  If he is not the spiritual leader, the wife’s godly conduct could encourage him toward Christ.  Prayers, prayers, and more prayers.  Christianity is the first and only major religion to teach equality of man and woman. 

The actions that point to how Christ love us are…

1. Submissiveness- We die to self and submit to the Savior. Christ died for our sins even when He didn’t have to.
2. Sacrifice- Every marriage requires sacrifice. We all sacrifice for those whom we dearly love. Christ dearly loves us.J

Remember Hosea (Golmer) Hosea was told to marry and pursue an adulterous women, a picture of Christ pursuing us.

May your spouse or an unbeliever see your actions and know that there is a God.

Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Peter doesn’t want Christian women to find their sole value in external appearances.  Is some wrong?  No, when it’s excess, it is. Proverbs 31:25-30 “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised…”

It was not uncommon for the women of the time to dress in such a way to draw attention to themselves and to lure men to themselves. Paul encountered temple harlots in Corinth. Peter’s commit here is mentioned here to remind believers that our attraction should never detract others from Christ. 

How can our attraction help focus others on Christ?

1. Adorned for Worship, not the World. (Ladies, the only person that needs to see all your physical attributes is your husband.)
2. Adorned with Inner Wealth and Worth

  An Affection that Promotes Christ vv.6-7

1. Affection Through Respect v.6
2. Affection Through Regard v.7

Ephesians 5:22-25 “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…”

Marriage is a sacrifice! When done for the glory of God by the power of God, it will point to Jesus every time. You want a great marriage, make time to pray together and read the Word of God together!