serving

Entrusted to God; Living for Him

Think! God has entrusted you, as His child, with His Truths. This is enormous! It is the most valuable possession we can have –

In this last chapter of 1Peter, the Apostle concludes with instructions given to the elders of the church to shepherd the flock in verses 1-4. Then Peter gives specific instructions to those who are younger, and also addresses the group as a whole – encouraging them, praying for them, praising God, and reminding them to stand firm in their faith.

1Peter 5:1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,

‘Therefore’ resumes the exhortation from 1Peter 4:19, Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. Peter’s message of ‘keep on keeping on with your focus on your heavenly future’ continues. It’s as if he is saying, ‘since you have entrusted your souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right’, then here is your calling. Before we get to the specifics of what they ought to do, we’ll look at who this letter is addressed to and the words the Apostle uses to describe himself.

First, the Apostle addresses those in charge – the elders among you. Peter includes himself in this group of those he is exhorting; he refers to himself as a fellow elder. These are the individuals who care for the church – the shepherds of the flock, the teachers, pastors, elders, and deacons. They may have also been elders in age considering that Peter addresses the younger men in verse five, but this does not change the exhortation to the ministers of the church. We learn something about Peter’s humility in this verse as he includes himself in the same role as the elders of the church. He was one of the twelve disciples and a witness of Jesus’ life and death, yet he does not place himself in any position except that of serving together with those he is writing to. He also spent time with Jesus under His direct teaching but notice that the direction Peter gives to these men who lead the church is for himself also. If we are worldly thinking, then who you know gives you clout. When we are Christ-minded, each of us is equal; the need for our salvation is the same; the price paid the same; the eventual fruition of God’s grace and mercy the same. Individually we have certain roles, but each person is needed and as important as another.

To exhort in this verse means to invite, to call for, to (be of good) comfort, to desire. It seems that this is not so much a command as it is an encouragement to come alongside one another in their endeavors to lead the flock. Read this as an earnest request from the Apostle to the ministers of the church to press on.

Note, Peter describes himself as a witness of the sufferings of Christ. Imagine, walking with Christ physically, in His footsteps literally. This was Peter’s experience.

Acts 1:21-22 "Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us – beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us – one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection."

Acts 2:32 "This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.

The Apostle well understood the sufferings of Jesus.

Acts 3:5 but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses.

Acts 10:39 "We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross.

“He was with Christ in the garden; he was with him when he was apprehended. and he was with him in the high priest's hall. Whether he followed him to the cross we know not; … He could, however, with the strictest propriety, say, from the above circumstances, that he was a witness of the sufferings of Christ. We are all to be a witness for Christ”, Adam Clarke’s Commentary.

The word witness, martus, is literal or figurative, by analogy, a martyr, someone who gives his life. A witness is also someone who can give an account or record of what they have seen or heard. Read what Jesus said to the Apostles:

Luke 24:44-48 Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. "You are witnesses of these things.

Acts 1:8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

Pause for a moment and consider the Apostle who wrote this epistle. He walked with Jesus, he was friends with Jesus, shared meals with Him, and listened to His teachings. But Peter also knew what it meant to be pulled by fear, selfishness, and sin in the world. He denied the Teacher and Friend whom he loved and suffered the regret and shame of his weakness. Yet God still used him mightily. Our faithfulness may falter as we fight sin but God’s faithfulness to His children is always certain. Peter had witnessed the suffering of Jesus, he experienced His faithfulness and forgiveness, and now he was willing to suffer for Him.

Think of the conversion of the Apostle Paul. Known by the name of Saul and a great persecutor of Christians, God called him to be a witness, and his life was dramatically changed. God is faithful to His children even when they are not, His forgiveness and blessings abound. This is a good reminder to move forward in our serving and walk with God despite our failures, because He is the One holding us up, providing His strength that we might continue to glorify His name. It is also an important reminder that we should never give up on praying for those who haven’t placed their trust in Jesus. God is working in hearts even though we may not see it. There is no one He cannot save if they genuinely seek Him.

Acts 22:14-15 "And he said, 'The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth. 'For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard.

Consider what it means personally for you to be a witness of Jesus Christ. To speak truth from God’s word, we must endeavor to know it; if we are to witness by our life, we must seek to understand what God desires from us so that we can be obedient and faithful to His call.

Think! God has entrusted you, as His child, with His Truths. This is enormous! It is the most valuable possession we can have – to be purchased by our Savior’s blood, to be called by God, to be an heir of His promises.

Do you seek to be a faithful witness of God’s word in your speech and in your serving? If so, how – what does this look like?
Is the desire of your life to be an ambassador of the Truth? Is your answer backed by action?
When others look at your life, do they ‘see’ Jesus; do they know there is something different about you? If asked about Jesus, do you respond as a witness of who He is and what He has done?

More than once, after sharing the Gospel with someone, I have heard their response of, ‘I know I need to do this but I’m not ready’. There are examples written for us of those who were called by Jesus and immediately left what they were doing and followed Him. There is an urgency to respond to Him, tomorrow is not guaranteed. In and of ourselves we would never be ready to bow before Jesus and accept Him as our Lord and Savior. It is God’s work in us – when we respond to His call, it is His power which changes our thinking, our behavior, and all the ‘things’ in our lives that need attention.

Everything else in our lives is secondary to our walk with Jesus. We are to be striving to become increasingly like Him, to give glory to God through our testimony of His truths. Being a Christian, a follower of Christ, is not something we add to our life – it becomes our purpose for living, our mode for serving, and our focus for the future.

Today, what is your purpose? How will you serve? Where is your focus?

Along with being a witness of the sufferings of Christ, the Apostle associates himself with being a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed. He shares in the praise and worship of Christ for the hope that is promised to those who follow Him. A believer’s inheritance is Heaven!

Do you anticipate your home in Heaven where you will be in the presence of God’s glory?

I have sweet memories of spending time with my dad in the weeks before he passed away. He wanted to hear about heaven. He was not afraid of death, instead he looked forward to his future. I remember his eyes lighting up when we read the description of the holy city, Jerusalem, found in Revelation Chapter 21.

Imagine. The hope we have of heaven is absolutely certain. Those who have placed their trust in Christ alone for forgiveness of sins become heirs in God’s Kingdom. Not because we have earned it but because of His grace.

1Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1Peter 4:13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.

John 17:19-24 "For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. "I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. "Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

Romans 8:17-18 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Our purpose is to be a witness for Christ.

Our promise is Heaven.

Psalm 73:24-5 With Your counsel You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.

Some questions for application –

Are you willing to check your priorities? Specifically, what causes you to neglect reading your Bible and praying?

If you are in a Growth Group or Bible study, are you committed to attending and serving in your group or do you make excuses to not attend each week?

Think – when we are committed to something, we are faithful. This means if we attend a Growth Group, or Bible study, or go to church on Sunday, then we hold those commitments as a priority, not purposefully making other plans at those times, or only attending when we feel like it or when it fits into our busy schedule. If our pattern is one of being too tired or too busy to commit to fellowship and encouragement of others, this should cause us to re-think our priorities.

Do you attend church services or go to a GG or Bible Study or church event to be served or to serve?

We are encouraged when we encourage others. We can easily take for granted our ability to meet publicly, let’s remember this is an incredible blessing – one which many believers in parts of the world do not have. Lord, increase our understanding of Your blessings!

Help us to take seriously our witness of Christ; help us to live focused on our hope of Heaven.

Extending God’s Love

1Peter 4:8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

Above all other exhortations or more important than anything else. Peter is putting a special emphasis on his statement. It might well be like us saying, ‘this is important, make sure you get it right!’. We see the same phrase used in James 5:12.

But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.

Also, in Paul’s words to the Colossians, 3:14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

Live for the will of God rather than the desires of the flesh; be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer and pay particular regard to keeping fervent in your love for one another.

The Apostle placed a special value on loving one another. Sound judgment, a sober spirit, and prayer (1Peter4:7) are not less important than love but without love none of these things is possible. All our motivations for living according to God’s will, must come from a heart yielded to Him. The basis of loving one another, is God’s love for us.

Think! If we love others only when they are lovable, then the success of our love for others will be sorely limited. Are you always lovable? The answer is ‘of course not’! The love we have for others is based on the unconditional love God has for us. He loves us even though we are unworthy; when we are disobedient, God still loves us; when we fail, when we choose to follow sin, when we forget – God remains faithful in His love for us. If we can remember these truths, then our love for others will never be based on what they deserve but rather on our understanding of God’s great love for His children.

John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Keep, in 1Peter 4:8, is translated from the Hebrew word echo. Think! What is an echo? It is a repetition – again and again. We are to love one another repeatedly and fervently; intently, without ceasing, with devotion.

Why are we to keep fervent in our love for one another?

Because love covers a multitude of sins. Consider those you have a deep affection for. When they err, you are more patient with them, desiring to turn them from their sin towards righteousness. Rather than focusing on their faults, we are willing to overlook imperfections. The encouragement is to love one another for the purpose of leading others to live for Christ.

“He commends charity towards one another, because it buries a multitude of sins, and therefore preserves and maintains peace and harmony: for they who love one another easily forgive one another their offences”, 1599 Geneva Bible Notes.

“A loving disposition leads us to pass by the faults of others, to forgive offences against ourselves, and to excuse and lessen, as far as is consistent with truth, the transgressions of men”, Adam Clarke’s Commentary.

Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions.

1Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Matthew 18:21 Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus *said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Proverbs 17:9 He who conceals a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.

Are we quick to point out the faults of others? We are to be patient in our spirit, slow to retaliate or express resentment, as we seek to quickly forgive offenses. This makes me think of the verse in Matthew.

Matthew 7:3 "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

Leviticus 19:18 'You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.

We are to be more concerned with helping each other live in righteousness, than we are with condemning one another for faults. I think of my mistakes and the decisions I made as a new believer that were less than stellar. Those around me poured their love out on me and encouraged me, not by pointing out the wrong things I had done, but by pointing me to God’s righteousness. This took patience and long-suffering from those who loved me as they waited for God to work in my life.

Notice, the verse says love covers a multitude of sins. A large number, many. There is no limit to the number of times we are to excuse others. Doesn’t Jesus cover our sins multiple times a day?

Philip Doddridge N.T. notes say, “love will cover a multitude of sins; it will cause us to excuse them in others, and it will entitle us through divine mercy to the expectation of forgiveness for numberless slips and failings”.

1Peter 1:22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,

Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

1Peter 4:9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

The Apostle reminds the church to always be ready to share, to be welcoming and ready for guests. This was especially important at that time when Christians were unwelcomed in their own homes because of their conversion. These struggling believers were no longer accepted so it was necessary for them to find shelter and food elsewhere. There wasn’t a motel or restaurant on every corner, so it was up to others to provide strangers with necessities. Hospitality was also an important part of furthering the Gospel from one place to another as individuals were sent out to start churches and encourage the brethren.

Romans 12:13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

Hebrews 13:2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Peter’s encouragement is to be hospitable without complaint – not grudgingly, without murmuring. This speaks of the right attitude we are to have when helping others. Hospitality was not to be practiced simply because it was commanded but was to be extended out of love for one another.

Consider the preparation and added expense of having guests in your home. It takes extra time and effort. They were not to focus on the work involved in being hospitable, but were to serve with a cheerful heart, truly welcoming those who stayed with them.

Matthew 25:35 'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;

Hospitality is not only for those ‘who are good at it’. Each of us is to willingly share what we have to encourage others. Think! Are you quick to use the gifts God has given you for the benefit of others? Or do you hold back waiting for someone else to respond to a need? Are you willing to inconvenience yourself to serve others? In 1Peter 4:9, the church was reminded to use hospitality in serving one to another. This was important to the encouragement of believers and those who were seeking to minister to the early churches. Now, in verse 10, Peter continues to remind the church that hospitality was only one of many diverse, spiritual gifts, which had been bestowed upon them to use for the benefit of others and the good of the church.

1Peter 4:10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

First, everyone has received special graces from God.

Second, each one is to use what they have to benefit others.

Third, we are stewards of these gifts, not owners for self-use but distributors for God’s use.

The words special gift means an endowment meant to be used for others. When Peter wrote this Epistle, there were gifts present that we do not readily see today. Jesus sent out the twelve with instructions to go to the lost and preach. Along with His orders, He gifted many with the ability to perform miracles in His name. Matthew 19:8 "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

Every gift and grace is to be used to contribute to the blessing of others. Although these gifts differ, each is equally important in ministering to the church body as a whole. “The word minister here would refer to any kind of ministering, whether by counsel, by advice, by the supply of the wants of the poor, or by preaching. It has here no reference to any one of these exclusively; but means, that in whatever God has favoured us more than others, we should be ready to minister to their wants”, Albert Barnes’ NT Commentary. This is the opposite of keeping to oneself. How are we engaged in service to one another? Are we seeking to edify the church with whatever God has given us? Have we allowed ourselves to be excused from serving because we are too tired, or too old, or feel we do not have anything to offer?

Recall the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. The servants who used what had been given them to increase their master’s wealth were rewarded. The one who hid what was entrusted to him was condemned. Our Master is Jesus. We are to contribute to His Kingdom using the gifts He has given.

Everything we have is a gift from God – it all belongs to Him. Everything seen and unseen, all that is in our physical possession and all that makes up our physical person, including our strengths, and abilities.

Romans 12:4-8 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Think! Are you able to influence others for good? Do you have something tangible to share? How about wisdom and experience? Can you pray for others, make phone calls, write notes of encouragement?

All we have and all we are is to be disposed for His Kingdom – we are merely stewards of God’s grace. This is the opposite of being an owner; a steward is a manager. This word is translated from a Greek word meaning an overseer, or an employee in that capacity; a fiscal agent or treasurer. Figuratively, it means a preacher of the Gospel. Think! How do our lives and how we use our blessings, promote Christ? A good manager oversees the use of resources.

Think of embezzlement for a moment. Each of the following excerpts are taken from the Associated Press. “An election commissioner in Mississippi’s largest county has pleaded guilty to fraud and embezzlement charge related to misuse of pandemic relief money …”. “A Catholic priest is accused of stealing more than $800,000 from three retired priests …”. “The former clerk for a small northeast South Carolina town has been charged with embezzlement of public funds”.

Embezzlement is the “fraudulent appropriation of funds or property entrusted to your care but actually owned by someone else”. We can readily see the improper use of money in the stories above.

Each child of God has His grace poured upon their lives; the gift of the Holy Spirit residing within their soul; the promise of glory far beyond imagination; and a plethora of undeserved blessings. Are we using these things entrusted to us for the benefit of God’s kingdom?

1Corinthians 4:1-2 Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.

“Whatever gifts or endowments any man may possess, they are properly speaking, not his own; they are the Lord's property, and to be employed in His work, and to promote His glory”, Adam Clarke’s Commentary.

Read Paul’s words: Ephesians 3:8-12 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.

Lord, help us to use Your blessings, through Your grace, in Your strength, for Your glory.

Submission to Authority

What thoughts enter your mind when you hear the word submission?

What examples of submission are practiced regularly?

Let’s pick up our study in 1Peter 3 posted on January 24th. Recall in 1Peter 2, we read the command to submit to those in authority (v.13). We then moved from a general application of submission to more specific applications. Servants are commanded to submit to their masters (v.18). Our example of submission is Christ to His Father’s will (v.21-24). In 1Peter 3 we were given another specific example of submission – wives to their husbands (v.1). In all instances, submission in a believer’s life stems from obedience to the word and is a reflection of the heart.

1Peter 3:7 now addresses the specific role of husbands to their wives. Fulfilling any role or command in Scripture is a picture of submission to God as our Head. His is the ultimate authority and we glorify His name when we willingly follow His word.

1Peter 3:7 You husbands likewise, live with [your wives] in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

A husband is to live with his wife in an understanding way.
A woman is a weaker vessel.
A husband is to honor his wife as a fellow heir.
The result is unhindered prayer.

‘Likewise’ tells us to look back. The same principle of submission and obedience to the word from the heart is applied to the husband. His submission is to Christ; He is to follow the commands God put forth to a husband. You could say, ‘In the same way’, or ‘In the same manner’. 1Peter 3:7 says husbands are to live with their wives in an understanding way, or according to knowledge in the KJV.

Think! What must one do to live in an understanding way, or according to knowledge?

To live according to knowledge, implies that something is known. I am unable to understand and apply information I am unaware of. So, we must seek knowledge with a desire to understand. This knowledge then is more than information stored, it is information applied. In order for us to begin to try and fulfill the commands God has set forth for us in specific relationships, we need to be able to answer some questions. Since marriage is addressed, this is where we will focus our thoughts. What does God’s word say about the marriage relationship? What does God’s word say about the roles of husband and wife? What is God’s design for husband and wife? It would seem reasonable that the answers to these questions would be the basis to living in an understanding way with one another.

Consider the importance of authority or leadership in any role to a believer – this responsibility requires a careful regard for the encouragement and care of those you are leading. God made a woman as a helper to man – it is wise for him to encourage his wife who is specifically designed to help and support him.

Genesis 2:18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."

Genesis 2:23-24 And the man said, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.

Think for a moment of encouraging those in leadership. Many of you have worked in the education system. You may have experienced students who follow leadership and direction eagerly, and students who disregard authority. How does this affect the classroom? Is it encouraging or discouraging to those in charge?

What are you called to do when you don’t agree with those in authority or leadership?

In 1Peter 3:7, we read the words, ‘as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman’. In our world and culture today, these words totally do not fly! You could not be more politically incorrect! To be called a weaker vessel because you are a woman is considered demeaning and oppressive. I fear you would have woman’s rights advocates pounding on your door if you verbally promoted this! However, this is what God’s word says, so it is important. It is truth (whether we like it or not or agree with it or not) and must be addressed. But let’s make sure we understand the definition of a weaker vessel. We can jump to conclusions and easily take offense without truly understanding what is meant by a weaker vessel.

What comes to your mind when you think of something being weak?

Weaker, from asthenes, means strengthless – literally, figuratively, and morally. It carries the idea of being feeble, impotent, sick, without strength, and weak (-er, -ness, thing).

Obviously, the definition above seems to be a gut punch. This is quite opposite of the words from the 1996 song, “I Am Woman”, sung by Helen Reddy. You probably recognize some of the lyrics – “I am woman, hear me roar, in numbers too big to ignore … I am strong, I am invincible”. This song actually became relevant in the feminist fight for equality.

I looked up the word weaker in WordWeb and twelve definitions were listed. Among them:

Wanting in physical strength; “a weak pillar”
Wanting in moral strength, courage, or will; having the attributes of man as opposed to e.g. divine beings; “I’m only a weak human”
Deficient or lacking in some skill

And my favorite:

Lacking bodily or muscular strength or vitality; as in “a weak old woman”

Personally, I’m not offended by this, perhaps because I am able to relate!

If you google the question ‘Are women physically weaker than men?’, you will find that an overwhelming percentage of answers say yes. In general, women are physically weaker, they are anatomically different. It is no secret that our world is broken – it is imperative that we seek to share truth at every opportunity. It has become vogue for women to decide they are men and men to decide they are woman. Society, in their own demise, has coined a practice called gender reassignment; we ignore God’s perfect plan of creation and have instituted our own. Part of the process of a woman becoming a man, at least physically, is to pump her full of testosterone. Testosterone is the “key male sex hormone that regulates fertility, muscle mass, fat distribution, and red blood cell production”, according to MedicalNewsToday. All this to say, we know there is a difference between sexes, and we know that men are generally larger and stronger. This is not a ‘put down’, it is a fact. On average, women are smaller – they are shorter and weigh less. Consider why there are separate national sports leagues for men and women, and why they compete in most Olympic games separately, having teams of men and teams of women.

Does being a weaker vessel mean woman are incapable?

Not at all! Both male and female are vessels for God’s glory. Think! Do you consider less of a child because they are physically weaker than an adult? Of course not, it is expected because they are a child. How about someone with a disability who cannot perform the same tasks as others? It is acceptable that we are weaker than others in some areas. Any strength we do have either physical, moral, or emotional, comes from God. Whatever is accomplished by us is because of God.

2Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves;

2Corinthians 12:9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

God did create male and female differences – biologically we are different, our hormones are different, and we have been given different roles in the area of reproduction. Men and women, in general, are also different in the way they think, how information is processed and related.

Think again about a vessel and its purpose. From the Greek word skeuos, it is an implement, equipment, or apparatus – “specially, a wife as contributing to the usefulness of the husband”. This supports the truth that each gender has been created for specific roles. Neither is more important; however they function differently with unique abilities. Consider how sports teams are organized. Each player has a specific position and purpose. If they all work together, they are successful. Some positions are seemingly unimportant, yet without their cooperation and contribution, the team would not do as well.

God is the one who set up the team of husband and wife. Look back to Ephesians 5:22-33. Therefore, He knows how we work best together for His glory.

Consider this example. I want to plant something in my garden, I need to dig a hole, and I have a hose and a trowel available to use. What would I use?

Obviously, I would use the trowel to dig a hole. Does it make the hose any less important? Of course not, in fact without the water delivered from the hose, my garden would die. Both are necessary to accomplish the goal; they are used differently but work together and are equally important to the success of my garden.

Our last few studies in 1Peter 3 have specifically addressed roles in marriage. What if you are single? How does this text apply? Being single does not mean a person is incomplete or missing out on something. In fact, remaining single has its own strengths and opportunities. Each of us are to set our eyes on Jesus to accomplish His will in our life. Some He has destined to marry; some He has destined to singleness. Both relationships, if founded in Christ, will glorify Him. Contentment whether we are married or single, for whatever reason, will cause us to trust God for His direction.

1Corinthians 7:8 But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.

Whatever relationship we are in, servant, master, single, or married, we are to walk according to God’s commands seeking to please Him through our obedience.

1Corinthians 7:17 Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And thus I direct in all the churches.

In 1Peter 3:7, we read another role of husband to wife is to grant her honor. Honor, time (tee-may’), gives something value; it means a high degree of esteem. This word is also used to describe something as precious, as in having high worth or being treasured. Each of us is to regard others as God’s creation, having value because of Him.

1Peter 2:17 Honor all men; love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

Husbands are reminded that their role is to protect, care for, and lead their wives. We have different roles but the same reality in Christ – fellow heirs of the grace of life – God’s riches, His forgiveness through Christ, His promise of a future with Him. Race, gender, age, abilities, and so forth, may separate our roles or importance in an earthly sense. However, in Christ, we are heirs of the same riches of eternal life.

Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with [Him] in order that we may also be glorified with [Him.]

Ephesians 3:6 [to be specific], that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

Titus 3:7 that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to [the] hope of eternal life.

The husbands’ instruction is to live in an understanding way, and to grant honor to his wife as someone who shares in the same standing in Christ – so that his prayers may not be hindered. The intent is that through obedience of the heart, the husband is right with God. As he seeks to live in an understanding way with his wife, honoring her as a fellow heir of Christ, he will be blessed. Obedience, understanding, care, and honor, are universal to all relationships in the body of Christ. Christ died for all; each life bowed before Him is precious.

Psalm 66:18 If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear;

John 9:31 "We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him.

Psalm 145:18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.

In a marriage relationship, there is the blessing of co-laboring as husband and wife towards the same end. Right leadership of a husband requires the heart of a servant. Sin, in any form or thought, will hinder, or exscind, prayer.

Ephesians 4:29- 32 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such [a word] as is good for edification according to the need [of the moment,] that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

1Peter 3:7 is an exhortation specifically to husbands, yet we can apply these principals in a general sense regardless of our specific role in life.

We can live in an understanding way with those in our lives. This might require showing more grace and forgiveness, developing a heart of compassion and care, accepting the strengths and weaknesses of others, seeking at all times to be an encouragement to others in their relationship with Christ.
If we are married, we can help our husband fulfill his role by willingly following his lead. We can show gratitude through our words and actions for his efforts to care for us. We can accept with joy that God has appointed our husband as head of our family. Ladies, if you are married the single most important thing you can do for your husband is to faithfully pray for his relationship to grow in the Lord. Then trust that God is working in both of your lives. If you are single, you can encourage your friends who are married to submit to their husband.

We all have authority to submit to in relationships, and each individual answers to the ultimate authority of Christ. You can purposefully choose an attitude of submission towards those in leadership over you. You can promote peace by concentrating on being a woman who honors God in all things.

Tag: serving

Entrusted to God; Living for Him

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Extending God’s Love

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Submission to Authority

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