With wives Peter gives instruction about not worrying about outer beauty versus inner beauty (vs. 3-4), but the hardest thing he proclaimed was for wives to accept the authority of their husbands ... even if they refuse to obey the Good news. (vs.1-2) .. and Peter says that they will be won over. The Prayer of a wife to win over her husband is very powerful. When I look at how my dad received the lord, through the years my mother had to put up with his negativity ... it's inspiring. I've seen first hand how this has worked. This is also a warning for women to know the person your about to marry, and to think of where that person is spiritually.
There is also a call for husbands to honor their wives (vs. 7) and Peter reminds them that wifes are an 'equal partner in God's gift of new life'. This is a radical understanding for the Church to hear back then, and a reminder of the progressiveness of the gospel. I like it when Peter says "Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered." Men if your don't treat your wives with the honor she deserves, expect your prayer life to suffer, and your prayers to be hindered!
No comments:
Post a Comment