Read 1 Peter 3:1-22

Once a day, at least, I walk up to my wife, Kelly, give her our son’s stool (because she’s 6 inches shorter than me) so she can be at eye level and the perfect height to hug. While holding her, I tell her that I love her and that I’m so glad that she’s my wife. Seven or so years ago, when I made the decision to propose to Kelly, I wasn’t completely sure of what married life would be like. I praise God that I was given a great example through my parents, but every relationship is different.

At the time of this writing, Kelly and I have been married 6.5 years and we have two kids (5 and 1). I knew she was the best choice for a wife and, seeing her grow as a wife and even a mother, has made me fall more and more in love with her.

Why do I share all of this with you, besides to brag on my wife?

Years ago, I read the following verses and immediately thought of Kelly:

“Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.”

In the context that Peter was writing, these verses were written to believing wives who had come to faith while their husbands had not. However, for believers today, I can’t help but think that this should be such an encouragement to wives today. Live in such a way that your husband may be won over only by your actions and character.

A common theme in our reading today is honor which means to hold something in high respect or to adhere to what is right. A caveat to the second half of this chapter seems to be related to those who may not necessarily deserve it.

Like we have read before, this letter was written to Christians who were in the beginning stages of the worst persecution of the faith yet. They were going to encounter people who we may not think deserve to be honored but, Peter says, we need to do it anyway. How are we going to stand out as holy and honoring in the midst of a secular and sinful world?

So, I ask you, are you living a life of honor? Do you stand out in the world around you or do you blend in? Do people look at you and your actions and see Jesus or do they see themselves?

If you struggle with living a life of honor, I challenge you to bring it before the Lord. Allow Him to purify your heart so that you can stick out like a sore thumb in the world we live in today!

Jake Lawson