1 Peter 3:1-7
Last week, we challenged the world’s wisdom that says you have to fight for your rights. Jesus offered a different paradigm – that of a suffering servant. I know it sounds foolish, but it’s not our power that shows God’s presence in us, but our willingness to suffer for the benefit of others. The wisdom of God is truly the foolishness of men. Peter is working through different roles we have in life (such as that of an employee) and our passage today confronts the relationship between a husband and wife. But the impact of this reaches far beyond a paper filed with the clerk of courts.
Our dog is gorgeous and she loves to play, but she always has to be in the middle; literally. Her play is helping out – or so she thinks. Her instinct tells her that she is to separate cattle and she will work to get in the middle even while we are on the floor playing with her. What she is doing is serving, even though it looks to the world like play. As believers, we’ve been given a mission and a role to fulfill. We are to be servants at work in the harvest, cultivating, planting, and reaping as God grows the fruit through our lives. Yes, I do mean a spiritual harvest, not a literal one. Relational ministry tells us that we are to culvitate relationships with people and build solid friendships with them, plant the seed of Jesus when the Holy Spirit leads, and one day help lead that person into life in Christ if lead by the Holy Spirit. We, however, unlike an animal’s instinct does naturally, need to learn to see our role in all that we do – our work, our play, our home, our friends, our neighborhood. Whether you are married or learning how to interact with all people, hear the message here: be a servant, not a self-glorifier like the world.
Actions Speak Louder than Beauty
The problem is that the world says our biblical principles are foolishness. And to women, the world says, “if you’ve got it, flaunt it.” The world says that your worth and value are in your looks, not your actions. Published studies show that times of economic downturns actually increase females’ spending on beauty as their way of ensuring their ability to get resources, either through work or through a mate. According to the world’s standards, women are successful based primarily on their looks as opposed to their abilities (psycnet.apa.org). This is not the teaching of scripture.
God’s wisdom says that the value of a woman is her gentle and quiet spirit, who through the gifts that God gave her uses her influence to grow the family of God. Through a woman’s willingness to follow her husband’s path brings and builds a family that together all glorify God through their lives. How women look physically have nothing to do with how they fulfill their role as the “ezer kenegdo”; the teammate (Gen 1). Who you are as a daughter of God should shine from your life over that of your physical appearance; this is precious to God and brings good to this world. Braving through fear and living on trust builds the Kingdom of God and brings love to this world. Action fulfills your mission, not Glamour Shots. To the world your modesty and focus on character is foolish, but to God it is absolutely precious. Influencing through character, good works, and bravery is the role God’s given you in this Kingdom. Live it well.
Sovereignty Leads to Service
Men. Power is an interesting thing. Yes, We were built differently than women. You can see that by gauging the use of a stepladder in a home (I think I’ve used ours maybe once or twice, if that). As a godly man becomes more physically powerful, he does not use it for personal gain, but for the betterment of others. He becomes a sacrificial servant. Through the cross, Christ chose to use His power to save us. He forged the path to spiritual freedom and the Kingdom of God – not for Himself, for He already had it, but for us. A man’s power is in caring for, providing for, and protecting others, so on and so on. That “weaker” in v7 in the original Greek can refer to physicality, but also can refer to vulnerability or even straight value (more precious). Man’s role is not in gaining power for himself, but in serving sacrificially.
Next Steps
To the world this all is foolishness. They say your body is your power – for women it’s your look, for men it’s your strength. God says your character is your power and your calling is to serve through that character: a person who puts others first.
- Prioritize conduct over outer beauty or strength
- Focus on personal 1-1 relationships instead of mass communication
- Accept yourself as God made you and seek fulfillment in His role for you
Seems every student today wants to be an influencer. Why not – have everybody listen and do what they say. If that’s a goal, great – but influence from your character, not your looks or strength. Be a servant.
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