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  • Right Living When Wronged (1 Peter 3:8-12)

    In the movie The Dark Knight, Harvey Dent turned Two-Face says, “The world is cruel, and the only morality in a cruel world is chance…Fifty-fifty.” Harvey Dent’s analysis seems to be fifty-fifty too, partly right and partly wrong. The reality is we do live in a cruel, fallen world. However, we would be in error if we believe morality in a cruel, sin-laden world is chance. In fact, the gospel shows us otherwise. According to the foreknowledge of the Father, Jesus Christ was sent to live a perfect life, to die a sinner’s death on the cross as a substitute for our sins, and rise again to bring us salvation. If chance is the only morality in a cruel world, there is no hope. If the power of God in the gospel gives us morality in the midst of a fallen world, then we can rejoice in a hope. Because of what God has done in the past in Christ, we live differently in the present with anticipation for the future. That is why we live honorable lives as Christians, even in the midst of a hostile culture. This means we do not grow heart-hardened at the people around us. If there is a time for the body of Christ to come together, the circumstances of these times are it. The Apostle Peter exhorts the early Christian believers this ways, “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind” (3:8). Don’t grow cold during dark and cruel times. Keep warm by showing love and compassion to your brothers and sisters in Christ, not focusing on yourself but living as the body of Christ in unity and by humility. Moreover, when you are wronged, live right. Maybe during times of suffering for the faith, the body of Christ finds itself more willing to come together. But how do they respond to the evil they face? As God speaks through Peter, “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing” (3:9). The answer to a cruel world is not chance. The answer to a cruel world is not more cruelty. The answer to a cruel world is blessing. This blessing is seen most compellingly in the gospel. Romans 5:8 sums it up nicely, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” As sinners, we had and do rebel against God, speaking evil of His name. Yet, what did God do? He came to save us. The enemies who spoke evil of Him were the Ones He came to save. So, you may ask, “How can we bless while we are facing evil?” We can do so by looking to the gospel and realizing what happened in the person and work of Jesus Christ. King David realized this truth and the results of blessing. What is laid out in 1 Peter 3:10-12 is a quote from Psalm 34:12-16. The truth is that to love life and to see good days does not mean trouble does not come. It means that our response will be different the troubles do come. The one who keeps from speaking the same evil, who keeps from falling into deception is the one who will be blessed. The one who turns from evil and does good is the one who lives honorably. The one who seeks and pursues peace is the one who will find a blessing. The Lord is pleased when He sees His children living right while being wronged by the world around them. Those who do evil will have their day. God will pour out His wrath to those who do not trust in Him. But for those who trust in Christ, our witness is right living when wronged.

  • Esposos y Esposas que Reflejan el Evangelio

    “Las acciones hablan más fuerte que las palabras.” Este dicho popular ilumina nuestro pasaje de hoy. Continuando con su tema de la sumisión a la autoridad en el capítulo 2, Pedro pasa a la relación matrimonial en 3:1-7. Quizás no haya una imagen más grande del evangelio en términos humanos que el matrimonio entre un hombre y una mujer. Según el versículo 1, las esposas deben estar sujetas a sus propios maridos. La razón aquí es que la conducta piadosa de la esposa puede ganar el corazón de su esposo incrédulo. Las meras palabras y las quejas constantes no harán el trabajo. El amor de Cristo desbordando del corazón de la esposa puede ablandar el corazón endurecido del esposo hasta el punto de estar espiritualmente receptivo al evangelio. Las acciones amorosas ablandan los corazones de una manera que las palabras por sí solas no pueden. Las esposas deben tener cuidado con lo que dicen a sus maridos, ya que el constante hostigamiento puede alejarlo de la fe. Además, la “conducta respetuosa y pura” de la esposa puede llevar a la salvación de su esposo. Tal es el caso del conocido apologista cristiano y experiodista de investigación Lee Strobel. Fue el cambio radical en su carácter y en el trato hacia los demás lo que lo llevó a investigar la validez del cristianismo. Más tarde se convirtió (https://www.lifeway.com/en/articles/the-case-for-grace-lee-strobel-story).

    Pasando a los versículos 3–6, el apóstol exhorta a las esposas a vestirse de piedad y humildad. Una mujer no debe enfocarse más en su apariencia física que en su carácter espiritual. De hecho, enfocarse únicamente en lo externo—el trenzado del cabello, el uso de joyas y de ropa costosa—conducirá a la vanidad. Esto no significa que una mujer nunca deba usar maquillaje o arreglarse el cabello; significa que su enfoque principal debe ser cultivar un “espíritu afable y apacible”, que es la verdadera belleza ante los ojos de Dios (v. 4). Este es el espíritu que Sara tuvo hacia Abraham, el padre de los hebreos en Génesis 12–25. Ella se sometió a su liderazgo y por lo tanto recibió la bendición de Dios de ser la madre de los antiguos hebreos. Las mujeres cristianas demuestran ser sus “hijas” haciendo buenas obras y no teniendo miedo (v. 6).

    Los esposos son abordados en el versículo 7. Pedro escribe a los hombres cristianos: “Vivan con sus esposas de manera comprensiva”, mostrando honor hacia ellas como a “vaso más frágil”. Esto no significa que la esposa sea menos importante o menos valiosa que el esposo. En mi entendimiento, esto se refiere a la fuerza física y no al mérito espiritual. Entendido de esta manera, el esposo debe proveer, proteger y cuidar a su esposa y familia. Para ser honesto, es humilde escribir sobre este tema siendo soltero, pero la Palabra de Dios es clara: los hombres deben liderar con amor y las mujeres deben seguir con fe. Esta dinámica está destinada a alinear cada matrimonio con el Dios trino. Además, así como Cristo es la cabeza de la iglesia y sacrificó su vida por ella, el esposo debe hacer lo mismo por su esposa. En consecuencia, las esposas deben respetar a sus maridos (Efesios 5:25–33). Los roles dentro del orden creativo de Dios son extremadamente importantes. Por lo tanto, debemos tomar en serio estos versículos de 1 Pedro. Solo entonces un esposo y una esposa podrán relacionarse correctamente entre sí y modelar el evangelio para un mundo que observa.

    Preguntas de aplicación

    1. Esposas, ¿cómo pueden honrar y respetar a su esposo hoy?
      Esposos, ¿cómo pueden amar a sus esposas de manera autosacrificial hoy? ¿Oran el uno por el otro?
    2. Pastores, ¿están invirtiendo en los matrimonios dentro de su iglesia? ¿Cómo pueden fortalecer a sus hermanos y hermanas en sus vidas ahora mismo?

  • Husbands and Wives Reflecting the Gospel

    “Actions speak louder than words.” This popular saying sheds light on our passage today. Continuing his theme of submission to authority in chapter 2, Peter moves to the marriage relationship in 3:1-7. There is perhaps no greater picture of the gospel in human terms than marriage between one man and one woman. According to verse 1, wives are to be subject to their own husbands. The reasoning here is that the godly conduct of the wife can win the heart of her unbelieving husband. Mere words and constant griping and complaining will not do the job. The love of Christ overflowing from the heart of the wife may soften the hard heart of the husband to the point of spiritual receptivity to the gospel. Loving deeds softens hearts in a way words alone cannot. Wives must be careful what they say to their husbands, as constant badgering may turn him off to the faith. Furthermore, the “respectful and pure conduct” of the wife may lead to the salvation of her husband. Such is the case with well-known Christian apologist and former investigative journalist Lee Strobel. It was the radical change in her character and treatment of others that led him to investigate the validity of Christianity. He was later converted (https://www.lifeway.com/en/articles/the-case-for-grace-lee-strobel-story).

    Moving to verses 3-6, the apostle implores wives to put on the clothing of godliness and humility. A woman should not focus more upon her physical appearance than her spiritual character. In fact, focusing merely on the external-the braiding of hair, wearing jewelry, and wearing expensive clothing, will lead to vanity. This does not mean that a woman should never wear makeup or fix up her hair, it means that her primary focus should be on cultivating a “gentle and quiet spirit,” which is true beauty in God’s sight (v. 4). This is the spirit that Sarah had towards Abraham, the father of the Hebrews in Genesis 12-25. She submitted to his leadership and therefore received God’s blessing of being the mother to the ancient Hebrews. Christian women prove to be her “children” by doing good deeds and not being afraid (v. 6). 

    Husbands are addressed in verse 7. Peter writes to Christian men: “Live with your wives in an understanding way,” showing honor to them as the “weaker vessel.” This does not mean the wife is less important or less valuable than the husband. In my understanding, this means physical strength and not spiritual merit. Understood in this way, the husband is to provide, protect and nurture his wife and family. To be honest, this is humbling writing on this topic as a single man but the Word of God is clear: Men are to lead in love and women are to follow in faith. This dynamic is meant to align every marriage with the triune God. Moreover, as Christ is head of the church and sacrificed his life for her, the husband is to do the same with his wife. Accordingly, wives are to respect their husbands (Ephesians 5:25-33). Roles within God’s creative order are extremely important. Therefore, we must take seriously these verses from 1 Peter. Only then can a husband and wife rightly relate to one another and model the gospel for a watching world.

    Application Questions

    1. Wives, how can you honor and respect your husband today?  Husbands, how can you self-sacrificially love your wives today? Do you pray for each other?
    2. Pastors, are you pouring into marriages within your church? How can you strengthen your brothers and sisters in their lives right now?