Exercise Submission's Power - I Peter 3:1-12

Do you believe that God is involved in the little things of every day life? I do. When I opened my Bible to the third chapter of First Peter and started reading today’s lesson, for just a moment, the subject covered was a total surprise. Then I slowly awakened to the fact that God is in total charge of “everything” and that includes the subject that Peter wrote about in these first twelve verses—as well as the date {April 1} when it would be suggested as a topic to be discussed—in Faith Builders Class, First Baptist Church, Heber Springs, Arkansas. You may ask why it was a surprise. It is because the teacher and his wife, Juanita, will have been married sixty-three years on Sunday, April 9, 2007, next Sunday! Your teacher is not a marriage counselor, but he has been there and done that, and he prays that this experience will help somebody to either save or reclaim their marriage.

Just one week ago we were discussing the subject of submission in the life of a Christian. There seemed to be a general agreement that it is relatively harder for men to be submissive than it is for women. It appears that this lesson today tells us why women seem to have an advantage over us men with their winsome attitudes. Men have been mistaken in their belief that submissiveness is a sign of meekness or even of weakness. We have been in error because actually there is a hidden power in meekness that we need to discover. Jesus taught his disciples and the multitudes that the ‘meek will inherit the earth’—and that indicates that there is a hidden source of power and energy available only to those who are willing to submit their life to a higher power.

Have you ever really tried to understand why people prefer to think and talk about sinful situations and happenings? Why do people prefer to read the bad news in the paper and watch the ugly and gruesome programming on TV? It should not be so! But it is. The Bible teaches that we all [everyone] inherited a sin nature and therefore these flaws in our actions and reactions have always been present and will continue to be. There is one place where the results of sin affects our nation and the world more than in any other…and that is in the lives of families. If you are anywhere near retirement age, you have lived through the age of the family demolition derby. More marriages fail than are successful. Only a small percentage of the children in our schools today are fortunate enough to still live with their own biological mother and father.

In this lesson today, Peter turns to the domestic problems which Christianity inevitably produced. When salvation became available to us under the new covenant it was dependent upon the personal choice that each individual would make, and it was inevitably that one of the marriage partners would be won for Christ while the other would remain in their sin; this set up a situation where marriage problems were sure to arise.

In every example of ancient civilization that we have studied, women have had little or no rights at all. Under Jewish law a woman was considered property—just a thing that belonged to her man. She was owned by her husband in the same way that he owned his live stock. She could not leave her husband for any reason, although he could dismiss her at any time for any reason he had. In most cases it was reason enough if she chose to change her religion.
In the Greek civilization it was the duty of the woman to remain indoors and to be obedient to her husband. General instructions to women was—you are to see little—hear little—and ask no questions. Women existed for the pleasure of men and had no independent existence and no part in the decision making process. The man could divorce his wife at his own will for what ever reason he wished so long as he returned her dowry.

Under Roman law the life of a woman was of even less worth than the other two…she actually ‘by law’ remained a child for life. As a child at home under the care of the father she was under what they called the patria potestas or father’s care. This literally meant that the father had the power of life and death over the girl. At the time of her marriage the right of power over her passed to her new husband. For example, if a woman was caught in an act of infidelity, her husband could kill her without even having a trial. Egnatius, a roman emperor beat his wife to death for drinking wine. Many were discarded for appearing in public without their veil.

Just imagine the fate of any wife that would join the new Christian movement while her husband was still faithful to the ancestral gods. It is because of these conditions that are prevalent that Peter addresses this problem at this time. It would seem to us that the directions should have been for the women to get out of these situations as soon as possible. But where would they go? To whom could they turn for help? Peter joined Paul in his admonishment to women in 1 Corinthians—to remain in the family and work from the inside to win her husband over to Christianity. His advice was just to be a good wife, caring and submissive to her husband. Her response to him must be founded on love and respect.

The situation was different when the man became a Christian—because he usually brought all the rest of his family with him. The story of the Philippians jailer in Acts 16 is an example. Peter’s advice to the women is a good example of works speaking louder than words. Peter did not advise women to try to preach to their husbands; instead they should live lives that would speak louder than their words.

All of the first seven verses in this chapter are speaking clearly telling women [and people] that a changed life speaks loudest about what should be important. In v. 3, we are warned about over emphasis on fashion and style—however we are warned that cleanliness, good grooming, and neatness is important—but not as important as a persons attitude and inner spirit. True beauty is not “skin deep” but it is “deep under the skin”—it is from the inside out.

I remember attending a revival in Griffithville, back in the early fifties. There was still some concern in the church about how women were dressed and the kind and amount of makeup they were wearing. The evangelist was younger, and ahead of his time, and he made a startling statement that shocked some of the older and more conservative ladies in the church. I think some one had been talking to him about the new trend of gaudy make up and frilly hair-does. He explained his thinking regarding the matter this way. He said, “Someone has asked me what my position is on the new trend in women’s fashion, and I will try to tell you in one simple statement. It is very simple—if an old barn needs a new paint job—I say “Paint It.” Well, I guess he was about right—but the amount of food and shelter it provided was still more important.

The word submissive in verse five means voluntary cooperation with others out of love for God and respect for the other person. It is always best if this is mutual. This submissive attitude is projected in reverence to Christ; and sometimes it is not mutual. In the case of Christ on the Cross, there was nothing mutual about it…Christ went alone, submitted his life alone for many. There may be times when true Christians have to submit to unpleasant circumstances or situations when it is the only choice and it may not always seem fair. Just think about the strength required of Jesus as he stood alone against the mob and died alone on the cross. That same kind of power is available to the Christian who is willing to be submissive to the will of God.

In the seventh verse Peter refers to women as the weaker sex, or partner. I have searched for his exact meaning of the word ‘weaker’ and believe that he is simply referring to the fact that [generally speaking] women are smaller, have less muscle power, and because of this they can be physically abused most of the time if matched against men. This kind of thinking is also born out in the fact that women, even today, will usually admit that they have trouble in a man’s world. Maybe Peter could look into the future and see cops taking advantage of women, car dealers hiking the prices on women and mechanics taking unfair advantage of a woman on a repair job. I have heard women talking about some of these things that they believe to be true, whether they are or not.

There is absolutely no denial that there are more “safe houses” for abused women and children than there are for men. It is sad that the majority of America’s poverty stricken and homeless is single mothers and abandoned children. Peter is warning us that conditions should not be allowed to exist that would allow these kinds of hazards to come to the weaker partners.

Men, you need to look at the seventh verse closely. If you are not considerate and respectful toward your wife this plainly states that your prayer life is going to be diminished. Don’t know about you, but I already have times when it is difficult for me to pray and feel good about the outcome. If there is strife and contention between a man and his wife, there is no way for your prayer life to be what it should be. In Matthew 5: 23 we find that if we have a problem with any person—it must be made right between us before we can worship at the alter. This would be even more important with our daily life with our spouse.

In verse eight, Peter gives us a wonderful summary of five key elements that should characterize the life of all true believers.

1. We must have like-mindedness, harmony in our homes for sure with all seeking the same goals.
2. We must have a sympathetic attitude, and always be responsive to the needs of other members of our family…church family…community and world.
3. The Bible says “But the greatest of these is Love”…love will lead us to see and treat each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.
4. Meekness requires compassion…and compassion will result in a heart that cares.
5. Humility is a must. It is not the Razorback way…but you do not have to be number one…You can be humble and really rejoice in the success of others…especially those that you love. Try it sometime; it is true joy to be number two…behind someone you love very much.

For sure, Peter learned how to be compassionate and humble the hard way. In his early walk with Christ these did not come naturally because of his personality and strong will.
Then the rooster crowed! He saw an empty grave. He beheld his risen Lord. He received the power of the Holy Spirit, and became the favorite apostle of many.