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1 Peter 3:1-6

“In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives. Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They put their trust in God and accepted the authority of their husbands. For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do”.

The word submission usually comes up as a result of the relationship we have with others. We relate to people around us either by blood, cultural background, religion or other things. We have a parent-child relationship, we have a relationship that bound friends together, also that of a boss-subordinate, the kind of relationship that exists among brethren in a religious setting, that of husband and wife, etc.

To submit is to put another person(s) before us; to yield to the control of another person(s). It also means referring to another person for judgment or decision or yielding to another wish or opinion.

God expects us to be a good ambassador of Christ in any relationship we find ourselves, we are to live like Christ, respect everyone and do what Christ would have done if He were in our shoes but He places a higher demand on the relationship that exists between the husband and wife in a Marriage Institution. Marriage is a heartbeat of God because family gives birth to other institutions. Therefore, the Lord likens the relationship that exists between husband and wife with the one between Christ and the Church.

Submission is a non-negotiable commandment given to the woman by the Lord; that is why we must be very careful when starting a marriage institution, allowing God to choose for you brings long-term peace. Though, it does not mean exemption from troubles, it does means, the ways of the righteous are ordered by the lord.

Our text makes us understand that our beauty in the real spiritual sense does not come from the hair we make, the gold we wear, or the beautiful clothes we put on, but comes from a gentle and quiet spirit. We keep getting beautiful day by day when we become more patient in our marriage and never allow things to get us angry easily. Instead, we entrust our lives to God who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23). The Bible said this is how the women of old made themselves beautiful, they just willingly yield to their husband’s opinions, decisions or judgment, hoping and trusting the Lord that He will not let them (husbands) lead them astray.

When you obey your husband out of pure reference to the Lord, the Lord knows how to order and guide the man not to mislead the home. When you see in your own opinion that a decision your husband has made is tending towards foolishness, you are not to enforce yours but gently tender it and when he does still not yield, commit his heart to God who has given the commandment to submit. He knows how to make all things work together for the good of both, seeing that you are both heirs of the grace of life in Christ. (1 Peter 3:7).

The Lord makes us understand that submission to our own husband is a sign of faith in God. The ancient women place their hope in God and never let anything make them afraid. They do not look at the incompetency of the men in any way but entrust their lives to God who has given them the gift of their husbands that He is faithful, for the good and perfect gift comes from God. (James 1:17).

Whatever may be the case of your home as a woman; never drag the wheel with the Lord in dragging with your husband, your submission is unto the Lord not to your husband, and faithful is He who has promised, who also will do it. Allow God, He knows the end from the beginning (Jeremiah 29:1).  He has a plan and purpose for your marriage, it may look foolishly to the human sense but He always uses the foolish thing of this world to confound the wise (Romans 1:29). Keep hope alive, keep building yourself in the Lord, keep focus, your patience and quietness will never go unrewarded for this is evidence of faith in God. To have faith in God is to be sure about the things we hope for, to be certain in our heart and mind what we cannot even see (Hebrew 11:1); that is the expected end He promised. For whoever comes to the Lord for help must believe that He exists and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrew 11:6). In doing this, obedience is the number one requirement.

May the Lord build us up as women into a pillar carved to adorn the palace of our homes (Psalms 144:12) and our husband a well-nurtured, strong King. May the kingdom of our homes really count till the end. Amen