As followers of Christ, we have a map - scripture, and a trail of divine footsteps to use to get where we're going. But if any part of scripture is taken fractionally, the context and true understanding of it can become fractured along with it or completely lost. Scholars have sectioned our bibles into chapters and verses, labeling them accordingly. But it's important to remember that in some cases, particularly in regard to some of the letters and writings of the Apostles, what was written was actually one continuous writing effort. What makes this important is the fact that the complete essence of thought that a particular writer was trying to convey can become broken if not followed past some of the scholarly breaks installed by the well meaning and otherwise useful efforts of others before us. It's certainly true of something Peter was trying to tell us in 1st Peter.
Some of what our brothers in Christ have attempted to teach us in scripture became the essential basis of traditional wedding vows that were intended to set newlyweds on a path following Christ Himself. In the 3rd chapter of 1st Peter in the New Testament, the Apostle Peter gave some very solid instruction to husbands and wives regarding not only how they should treat each other, but how they should view each other and live together. If you're familiar with what Peter taught, you may recognize that it's become more common in these later years for some to take exception to some of what Peter instructed. But I believe that in part, the rise of those objections, whether voiced or secretly held, have helped to allow the divorce rate in our nation to keep pace with those objections. Words like "honor", and "obey" have a tendency to get tossed out of marriage vows quite frequently, but when we take a close look at their origin in complete context,... are they really objectionable?
For example, in the last part of 1st Peter chapter 2 (NLT), Peter said the following:
21 "For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. 25 Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls."
Our Christ's character - His patience, righteousness, honesty, humility, grace, trust in God and selflessness were all truthfully pointed out in that passage of scripture. And we who are determined to follow Christ are bound by our own determination to follow in His footsteps with His help. These things we've accepted as we've chosen to accept Him as our Savior and "follow" Him without objection. But in 1st Peter, Peter went on...
Verse 25 was the last of the 2nd chapter as scholars have labeled it, but it wasn't the end of what Peter was saying at the time. And because of the way that it was sectioned into chapters, some might have missed something key to what he was saying. In that passage Peter spoke the truth about Christ and he delivered instruction at the same time saying: "He is your example, and you must follow in his steps." He said those words right before further describing more of Christ's conduct in chapter 2. But the end of chapter 2 wasn't the end of what he was saying... and to stop there... would be to walk away in the middle of a conversation when some one's speaking to you.
Peter continued speaking right through into chapter 3 and began speaking to wives with four little, incredibly powerful words - attaching their expected conduct to the example of Christ's. Peter started with the words "In... the... same... way...".
He said:
1 "In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over 2 by observing your pure and reverent lives.
3 Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. 4 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 5 This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They put their trust in God and accepted the authority of their husbands. 6 For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do."
But now, Peter still wasn't done! Some of the husbands might have missed this, but Peter was actually far from finished. What he said next was just as important and was actually directly tied to what he told the wives in regard to following Christ's example. After instructing the wives, Peter began to speak to the husbands and he began with those same four little words. "In... the... same... way..."
7 "In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered."
"Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered." - This should be a big concern to every husband, because the time will come, perhaps in a moment of crisis, when you'll desperately want Him to hear you. The words "In the same way" bound husbands to follow Christ's example also - commending them to walk in humility and understanding with their "equal partner in God’s gift of new life".
... and to both husbands and wives, Peter said:
8 "Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. 10 For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. 11 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. 12 The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil.”
I'm absolutely certain that Father God means what He says. I'm also certain that throughout the whole of scripture He's given us the keys to be successful in every facet of life. And that if we were to seek them out and follow them, we'd find ourselves much happier,... much more at peace... ... and our marriages would last as the Lord intends.
But a true marriage, a blending together into one, is a very special and unique thing. It requires both parties to equally commit to follow the Lord's instructions through Peter and as He's instructed elsewhere, following them continually and together in order to be successful. A truly successful marriage - the true merging of lives, hearts and spirit, doesn't allow for the two to exist as individual entities any longer. It requires that the two become one in their consideration and treatment of each other - each putting the other first... ..."In... the... same... way"... that Christ did for us. Where can we as followers of Christ find cause for objection to follow in His footsteps?
True and open honesty, humility, intimate trust, selflessness and submission, from both parties are missing from so many marriages today. But those same things are required in our relationship with the Lord. They're absolutely required elements of a "living" marriage - one that has the life producing elements of a relationship sustained in real joy and precious intimacy with the endurance to survive life together over the bumps and potholes of life ahead as one. And since our marriages are intended to become a reflection of our relationship with God, both now and in the future, we should be aware that they're of particular interest to Him.
Each son taking a Daughter of God and each daughter taking a Son of God and uttering a holy vow before the Lord - creating a holy covenant, should be continually aware that Father God is watching...
Micah 6:8
8 "No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."
Some of what our brothers in Christ have attempted to teach us in scripture became the essential basis of traditional wedding vows that were intended to set newlyweds on a path following Christ Himself. In the 3rd chapter of 1st Peter in the New Testament, the Apostle Peter gave some very solid instruction to husbands and wives regarding not only how they should treat each other, but how they should view each other and live together. If you're familiar with what Peter taught, you may recognize that it's become more common in these later years for some to take exception to some of what Peter instructed. But I believe that in part, the rise of those objections, whether voiced or secretly held, have helped to allow the divorce rate in our nation to keep pace with those objections. Words like "honor", and "obey" have a tendency to get tossed out of marriage vows quite frequently, but when we take a close look at their origin in complete context,... are they really objectionable?
For example, in the last part of 1st Peter chapter 2 (NLT), Peter said the following:
21 "For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. 25 Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls."
Our Christ's character - His patience, righteousness, honesty, humility, grace, trust in God and selflessness were all truthfully pointed out in that passage of scripture. And we who are determined to follow Christ are bound by our own determination to follow in His footsteps with His help. These things we've accepted as we've chosen to accept Him as our Savior and "follow" Him without objection. But in 1st Peter, Peter went on...
Verse 25 was the last of the 2nd chapter as scholars have labeled it, but it wasn't the end of what Peter was saying at the time. And because of the way that it was sectioned into chapters, some might have missed something key to what he was saying. In that passage Peter spoke the truth about Christ and he delivered instruction at the same time saying: "He is your example, and you must follow in his steps." He said those words right before further describing more of Christ's conduct in chapter 2. But the end of chapter 2 wasn't the end of what he was saying... and to stop there... would be to walk away in the middle of a conversation when some one's speaking to you.
Peter continued speaking right through into chapter 3 and began speaking to wives with four little, incredibly powerful words - attaching their expected conduct to the example of Christ's. Peter started with the words "In... the... same... way...".
He said:
1 "In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over 2 by observing your pure and reverent lives.
3 Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. 4 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 5 This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They put their trust in God and accepted the authority of their husbands. 6 For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do."
But now, Peter still wasn't done! Some of the husbands might have missed this, but Peter was actually far from finished. What he said next was just as important and was actually directly tied to what he told the wives in regard to following Christ's example. After instructing the wives, Peter began to speak to the husbands and he began with those same four little words. "In... the... same... way..."
7 "In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered."
"Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered." - This should be a big concern to every husband, because the time will come, perhaps in a moment of crisis, when you'll desperately want Him to hear you. The words "In the same way" bound husbands to follow Christ's example also - commending them to walk in humility and understanding with their "equal partner in God’s gift of new life".
... and to both husbands and wives, Peter said:
8 "Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. 10 For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. 11 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. 12 The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil.”
I'm absolutely certain that Father God means what He says. I'm also certain that throughout the whole of scripture He's given us the keys to be successful in every facet of life. And that if we were to seek them out and follow them, we'd find ourselves much happier,... much more at peace... ... and our marriages would last as the Lord intends.
But a true marriage, a blending together into one, is a very special and unique thing. It requires both parties to equally commit to follow the Lord's instructions through Peter and as He's instructed elsewhere, following them continually and together in order to be successful. A truly successful marriage - the true merging of lives, hearts and spirit, doesn't allow for the two to exist as individual entities any longer. It requires that the two become one in their consideration and treatment of each other - each putting the other first... ..."In... the... same... way"... that Christ did for us. Where can we as followers of Christ find cause for objection to follow in His footsteps?
True and open honesty, humility, intimate trust, selflessness and submission, from both parties are missing from so many marriages today. But those same things are required in our relationship with the Lord. They're absolutely required elements of a "living" marriage - one that has the life producing elements of a relationship sustained in real joy and precious intimacy with the endurance to survive life together over the bumps and potholes of life ahead as one. And since our marriages are intended to become a reflection of our relationship with God, both now and in the future, we should be aware that they're of particular interest to Him.
Each son taking a Daughter of God and each daughter taking a Son of God and uttering a holy vow before the Lord - creating a holy covenant, should be continually aware that Father God is watching...
Micah 6:8
8 "No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."
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