11Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Submission to Authority
13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1 Peter 3
Wives and Husbands
1Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
7Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
Suffering for Righteousness’ Sake
8Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 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. 10For
“Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
11let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
#1 by Bethie Van Druten on August 31, 2010 - 6:48 am
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I like verses 2:24-25 because they really tell that we are veiwed as rightgous to God and not sinners like we truly are and were it says “but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” because I think it means that because Jesus died on the cross for our sins we are with God.
#2 by Bill on August 31, 2010 - 2:51 pm
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So much in this passage again! Reading God’s Word is like drinking from a fire hose of nuggety goodness.
It’s just so interesting to me to see that so many times in God’s Word we are called to submit, even when we are treated unfairly. Being treated unjustly by our boss or our parents doesn’t give us a reason to not submit to them or to repay evil to them.
What do you guys think the world would have to say about that?
I’m so thankful that Christ did what was right even when He was treated unfairly!
#3 by Erik Hanson on August 31, 2010 - 3:34 pm
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I just love that God has given us so many blessings, especially the blessing of Jesus dieing on the cross for us. In the last verse I thought it was cool but kinda scary that God wil bless the rightious but will eternaly punish evil, and that just reminded me about being an ambassador for God, and that if we don’t spread the gospel our friends or even family may be eternalt punished before God.
#4 by Bill on August 31, 2010 - 3:54 pm
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Amen Eric! Hope you are feeling better man! We need to be Ambassadors! Praying for you guys to be strengthened to share the good news about Jesus this week!
DON”T MISS OUT on the Hot Summer Nights FINALE on Thursday night! I can’t wait to talk about what we will discuss in small groups on Thursday night!
#5 by Cory on September 1, 2010 - 3:21 pm
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Amen Bethie and Erik! I’m praying that you can be ambassadors at your school this week and be continually amazed by the fact that God has saved you, and you get to spread that great news to those who are lost!