1 Peter 3:5-6 - Submission

“For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, (6) like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.”

As a very brief review of what we talked about last time, purity of life and a submissive spirit has always been a godly woman’s lasting source of beauty and attractiveness. Take a few moments to compare that to the world’s opinion of beauty… expensive clothes, hair care products, make-up, Botox, face lifts, other…ahem…enhancements – all basically say, “You need help because you are not pretty enough on your own.” That is the message our culture communicates to women every minute of every day.

The holy women of the past would scoff at such a lie. Each woman is beautiful because God made her beautiful. And if that woman is a believer, she has the Spirit of the Living God residing within her to make her even more beautiful. The holy women would say, “Put your hope in God and focus on your internal beauty – it is the only beauty that will last.”

“They were submissive to their own husbands.” Why should a wife be submissive to her husband? Because God made the husband the head of the household. In submitting to her husband, a woman is obeying and being submissive to God. The opposite is true as well, if a wife is not submissive to her husband, she is really being disobedient to God. It is a wonderful thing to have a husband you respect and can happily submit to – but even if you don’t, you respect him because God commands you to.

“…like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master.” Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him her master; that is she recognized him as the leader and head of their household (Gen. 18:12). In those days, the term “master” was a term of respect, like “sir” or “ma’am” – it doesn’t mean that wives are slaves and their husbands are their masters.

Sarah respected Abraham as the God-appointed leader of their marriage and family. Those who choose to follow her example will become like her daughters in righteousness. I know most of you are not married yet, but for now, follow Sarah’s example and put your hope in God – and store the rest away for later.

A word for the guys: while you are single, you need to cultivate your relationship with Jesus so that you are prepared to be the head of your household. A word for the gals: you need to consider the spiritual leadership ability of the guys you date. It may not be the most romantic notion, but it will save you a world of trouble…