Dig Deeper:
NOT A GOOD STARTING POINT: As we've seen so many times this year as we've read the New Testament together, the placement of verse and chapter breaks was added centuries after the text was written as certainly is not considered to be inspired. It's hard to understand why chapter three begins where it does. Had you not read chapter two yesterday, it might seem Peter is being unfair by just signaling women out for submission, but when you notice this section really begins in 2:11, we can see that all people, both men and women, need to live submissive lives to glorify God.
NOT JUST SO THAT SHE CAN MAKE YOU A SANDWICH: Wives get six verses of instruction from Peter, while husbands only get one. Maybe this seems out of balance, but look at the weight of the last clause of v7. The point of wives submitting in all things to their husbands isn't so that he can relax and watch football while she brings beer and sandwiches on demand, but rather so that he can spend all of his energy praying for and leading his family spiritually. In other words, she submits to him, so that he can submit to Him. Most of us are not doing well at this as husbands, so is it any wonder our society is in the poor condition it's in?
ARE YOU READY? It's never easy to get caught off guard having to provide a coherent answer to a complex question that comes out of the blue. Most of us stumble over our words and finally think of something brilliant to say an hour later when the conversation is long over. Yet v15 commands you to "always be ready to give the reason for the hope you have." The key to being able to do this comes in the less familiar opening line of this verse:
In your hearts revere Christ as Lord.
If you're not actively revering Christ in your heart, which you do by practicing daily Spiritual Disciplines (Bible reading, Prayer, Worship (personal & public), Evangelism, Serving, times of Silence & Solitude, etc), you'll likely never be ready to sincerely follow the massively important command this verse gives.
Follow the AAA Prayer Pattern:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: God, our Father in heaven, who has Jesus Christ at His right hand, with angels, authorities and powers in submission to Him (v22)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that God will give you the grace to live a life submissive to Christ in every way.
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
