This is part 2 of a series of posts adapted from my messages
to The Embassy last month titled “The Challenge of Obedience for Wives” and “The
Challenge of Obedience for Husbands” from 1 Peter 3:1-7. You can read part 1 here.
1Likewise, wives, be
subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they
may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2when they see your
respectful and pure conduct. 3Do not let your adorning be external—the
braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4but let your adorning be
the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and
quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5For this is how the holy women who
hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6as Sarah obeyed Abraham,
calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear
anything that is frightening.
7Likewise, husbands, live
with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the
weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your
prayers may not be hindered.
1 Peter 3:1-7
In part 1 of this series I gave an overview of Biblical and
manhood and womanhood and addressed the issue of wife’s calling to submit to
her own husband’s leadership in marriage.
Today I want to address something else Peter mentioned in 1 Peter 3:1-2.
1Likewise,
wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the
word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2when they see your
respectful and pure conduct.
Since most of the people in The Embassy are not yet married I think I need to address the issue of dating and marrying non-believers. Peter is not telling single women to go out and marry a non-believer so that you can win him over by your submission. At the time Peter wrote this letter the Christian faith was only about 30 years old and it took a number of years to spread to the regions listed in verse 1 of 1 Peter. The wives Peter was writing to here were most likely married before they became believers.
Most importantly, in all likelihood your ministry will be greatly hampered for the rest of your life. Being a follower of Jesus is not just a part of your life, not just something you believe in, it is to be your entire life. A non-believer is going to have a completely different worldview and purpose in life. Ladies, you’re looking for a man who will be the spiritual leader of your home and family, and a man who does not know Jesus cannot be the spiritual leader. Men, you’re looking for a woman who will follow your leadership and help you in your calling. Maggie and I come from very different backgrounds and cultures and that does create some tension in our marriage, but we agree that our lives and our marriage exist for the purpose of glorifying God and being used by God for the advancement of His Kingdom.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 reads:
14Do not be unequally yoked with
unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what
fellowship has light with darkness? 15What accord
has Christ with Belial?b
Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16What
agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living
God; as God said,
“I will make my dwelling among
them and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
17 Therefore go out from their midst,
and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch no unclean thing;
then I will welcome you,
18 and I will be a father to you,
and you shall be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty.”
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
17 Therefore go out from their midst,
and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch no unclean thing;
then I will welcome you,
18 and I will be a father to you,
and you shall be sons and daughters to me,
says the Lord Almighty.”
Numerous Old Testament passages reveal that God did not permit the
Israelites to marry non-Israelites (Deuteronomy 7:3, Joshua 23:12, Ezra 9:2,
Nehemiah 13:25). The purpose of the prohibition
was not maintaining purity in the bloodlines of the people of Israel, but maintaining
purity in the worship of God among the people of Israel. If you claim to be a follower of Jesus you
should take something that is so clearly established in the Old Testament Law,
history, and New Testament very seriously.
Men, pursue and marry women who love Jesus.
Ladies, do not be tempted to enter into a relationship with a
non-believer. Please don’t let a
relationship with a non-believer go on hoping that he’ll come to faith. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful
above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Do not put yourself in a position where you
might give your heart to an unbelieving man and will make decisions with
life-long consequences. Trust God and
wait for a man who loves Jesus and will be the spiritual leader of your
family. Remember that your hope and your
faith are in God, not in having a husband.