Marriage between a man and a woman is a creation blessing.
Mat 19:4-6 And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, and said, ‘FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH’? “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”
This blessing is in no way automatically happy in a fallen world.
I must confess that marriage is a great blessing as well as the most humbling and character stretching relationship. Marriage challenges my selfishness and independence every day. This a good thing but not always easy.
Peter was a married man and he had married man challenges. (Matthew 8:14- 5; Mark 1:30-31). We don’t know much about his wife but if you think she had it easy think again.
Though not from scripture Eusebius of Caesarea’s Church History talks a bit about this in around 300 AD “Or will they,” says he, “reject even the apostles? For Peter and Philip begot children; and Philip also gave his daughters in marriage.
In Peters letter he gives some instruction on marriage. This passage has been misused many times to imply women should just suffer in silence under the strict dictatorship of their husbands.
When you reread chapter 2 and 3 together that this is part of His bigger theme of every true follower of Jesus submitting for the Lords sake in order to reach others for Christ.
Marriage speaks loud to others about the love of God. Peter expects conflict and challenges so he gives a call to wives and husbands to submit and learn to live in the happiest and most stable way they can. This Sunday I will teach what peter says is essential from husbands and wives to do this.
I think you will be surprised. Try to leave your preconceptions aside and prayerfully read these scriptures.
Blessings
Joe
1 Peter 2:11-25 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
1 Peter 3:1-9 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior. Your adornment must not be merely external–braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being submissive to their own husbands; just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear. You husband’s in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
PREPARING FOR SUNDAY: SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
- HOW CAN SUBMITTING TO OTHERS AVOID BARRIERS AND MAKE YOU ABLER TO SHARE THE GOSPEL?
1 Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,
- What part does showing respect and giving honor play in getting people to listen to you?
1 Peter 2:17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
- Describe how someone made you feel honored and how it affected you?
- In marriage how can a man or women show submission and respect to one another?
1 Peter 3:1-2 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.
1 Peter 3:7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
- What takes more time looking good or being beautiful?
1 Peter 3:3-4 Your adornment must not be merely external–braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.
- How much time each week should a husband and wife expect to work intentionally on their marriage?
1 Peter 3:8-9 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
- When is it right to not submit to your spouse?
- If the first loss in marriage is being nice how could you be a blessing each day?