1. DUTIES OF WIVES (1 Pet 3:1-7; Matt 19:3-8)

Advocates of “Women's Lib” and “equality of the sexes” have forsaken the God-given role of women. They maintain that wives are equal to husbands. When Princess Diana married Prince Charles of England, the words “to obey” were deleted from the time-honoured vow. The time-honoured vow has been changed to conform with the modern trend. But it is an unscriptural and ungodly trend. For Adam was first formed, and then Eve out of Adam to be a help meet for her husband (Gen 2:21-23). Believing wives, therefore, should be in subjection to their husbands. Unbelieving husbands are unlikely to study the Word of God, but are certain to study the lives of their believing wives. Believing wives should strive by godly submission and obliging conduct to win their unbelieving husbands to the Lord. The marriage bond is God-ordained, permanent and meant for life-long partnership, not to be dissolved by one partner's unbelief. A husband's disobedience is no excuse for the believing wife to neglect her wifely duties.

Guidelines for women and girls

Women (and men as well) are more concerned with their outward appearance than with the state of the “inner man.” In Peter's day there was a worldly fashion of plaiting the hair, wearing of gold ornaments and expensive and showy clothes. Focus on such a trend would identify us with that class of carnal women, which Christian girls and women should avoid. The timeless principle of the Apostle's instruction is that Christians (whether women or men) should be careful not to conform to the world in fashion and bodily adornments in a way which would blur or mar their Christian testimony. Paul gives the same advice in Romans 12:1-2: we are not to conform to the world, but to be transformed by the renewing of the mind according to the will of God. This much neglected area needs to be constantly stressed. Girls and women, adorn your heart rather than your bodies! With the graces and virtues of God's Spirit (a meek and quiet spirit, a gentle disposition, a mild temper, a modest temperament), adorn and beautify your soul!

THOUGHT: God looks on the inside.

2. GENERAL DUTIES OF BELIEVERS
(1 Pet 3:8-17; Matt 5:10-18)

In God's family we should all “be of one mind” (2 Cor 13:11) for we own one Lord and one faith. Therefore, let us be united – one for another, and all for the Lord. To those who are afflicted we should show compassion, love and pity. Should we be ill-treated of men for Christ's sake, let us not react in the manner of the world, “rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing” (1Pet 3:9a). On the contrary, bless those who evil entreat us, for this is the will of God (Matt 5:44). For our Lord sets us a worthy example (Gal 3:13). Imitate Him!

If we desire a holy witness for Christ, let us keep our tongues from evil-speaking and slander, and our lips from lies and deceit. “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21). Furthermore, follow peace with all men, and holiness in life, without which no man shall see the Lord. Look unto Jesus diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and many be defiled (Heb 12:14-15). Does all this counsel seem burdensome? Take heart! God our Father is not unaware of His children's performance. “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (1 Pet 3:12). God knows and He cares.

What if suffering should come our way? Keep following the Lord no matter what happens: this is the surest way to alleviate sufferings. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31). Our Lord says, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:10). If we always do good, what need we fear? Only walk with a “clear conscience and a good conversation,” making sure that we are firmly on God's side. Finally, “sanctify the Lord God” in our hearts (1Pet 3:15a), by loving and serving Him with heart and soul and mind and strength. Committing our ways to Him, and trusting in His power and faithfulness, we glorify and magnify Him.

PRAYER: Father, grant me more faith to follow Thee all the way.

3. FOLLOW OUR SAVIOUR AND EXAMPLE (1 Pet 3:18-22; Phil 2:1-11)

The path to glory is through suffering. Our Lord Himself showed us the way. He suffered for our sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God. The Son of God became the Son of man that we the sons of men might become the sons of God. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God…” (1 John 3:1).

Now, if our Lord suffered for our good, should we resist or rebel if we should suffer for His glory? Knowing this, that what little suffering should come our way is meant for our correction and spiritual improvement. Shortly, it will be over and we follow Him to glory. For the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us (Rom 8:18).

Our Lord is all mercy and compassion. In the days before the flood, He sent His servant Noah to preach righteousness and repentance, with the offer of mercy while the ark was a preparing over a period of 120 years (Gen 6:3). Even now the Gospel offer is open to all who will believe. But the Gospel grace is not for ever; the day of salvation will soon be over.

Then, like Noah's Ark, the door of acceptance will finally be shut. Lest any may think that thereafter there is still a “second chance,” take heed according to God's Word. When God's day of grace is over, disobedient sinners will be committed to the prison of hell from which there is no escape. Remember the lesson of the Flood.

Noah's salvation in the ark prefigured the believers' salvation by water baptism. The temporal salvation by the ark through the Flood waters was reflected in the eternal salvation through the water of baptism – by the inner washing of the heart, by repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Today our Lord is glorified to suffer no more.

THOUGHT: The path to glory is through suffering.