Last week we answered the question, "what do slaves, masters,husbands, wives, followers of Christ, and Christ have in common and what do these similarities teach us about our husband/wife relationship?"
In the section about slaves (chapter 2 v 18-20) Peter tells slaves to submit to their masters whether they are "good" masters or not.
Slaves during Peter's day had the following characteristics:
they were property
they had value (someone paid for them)
they surrendered their will to their masters
they depended upon their masters for all their needs
they depended upon their masters for protection
they were obligated to do the bidding of their masters
Normally the above description would be distasteful to any of us, especially those of us in this country who value freedom so much.
But look at each of these descriptions of "slaves" in light of our relationship to Christ.
We were purchased by Christ so he must see a great deal of value in us.
We say that we have surrendered our will to Him (Jesus is LORD).
We depend upon Him to supply all of our needs.
We depend upon Him to protect us and in fact deliver us from "all evil".
We have obligated ourselves to do His bidding (Jesus is LORD).
This type of "slavery" is not only non offensive but it is a joy and a delight.
In submitting to Christ we are following in his steps (2:21). He submitted to His Father and endured more humiliation, pain, and rejection than any of us will ever know.
Peter then starts chapter 3 with "in the same way" wives. "In the same way" husbands.....
If we learn to submit to Christ as a slave does to his master then we will have discovered the central truth to all that he is going to say about the husband/wife relationship.
When we "put on Christ" we lose our old identity. We can no longer be "boss". We can no longer exercise our will in exclusion of His will. Gal 3:28
In chapter 3 Peter gives four pieces of advise to wives.
1) Analize your actions (why should I be submissive)
We did not get very far into this part of our study but we learned a very valuable truth in verse one about the power that a wife has with her husband. The verse says, "....that they (the husband) may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives,...".
Wives, your behavior (respect, support, gentle spirit) has more power (affect) on your husbands conduct than your words will ever have.
We will take up here next week with a description of this life of purity and reverence that Peter speaks of.
Look forward to seeing you Sunday.
randy
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