Seek Peace (1 Peter 3)
INTRODUCTION:
In chapter 2 of First Peter Jesus is given as an example of obedience and submission to God’s will. Then, 1 Peter chapter 3 begins with the phrase, “…in the same way …” The instructions in chapter 3 about husbands and wives will never be understood properly apart from an understanding of chapter 2. Husbands and wives are instructed to follow the example of Jesus Christ in our Homes. Then we are ALL instructed to follow Jesus’ example of submission and obedience in the church and in the world at large.
Right in the middle of this chapter we see WHY we need to follow Jesus’ example. Verse 11 contains the key phrase: "… seek peace and pursue it." That’s what the advice in I Peter chapter 3 is about – PEACE – in our relationships … at home, in the church, and in the world.
So, with that context in mind – let’s look at how we can seek peace in our homes.
1. Seek Peace in the Home (vs. 1-7)
Why do people say “home, sweet home?” It’s because we all want home to be an inviting, peaceful place. Marriage is meant to provide a haven … a place of peace and safety … where everyone pulls together in love and unity.
But it’s not always that way, is it? I went to a Marriage Seminar one year, and repeatedly they would tell us,”Turn to your spouse and say this to each other: 'I am not your enemy.'” How is it that a husband and wife … who got married because they were crazy in love with each other and couldn’t live without each other … how can they end up feeling like enemies?
Let’s face it, we’re either going to have Wedlock or Deadlock. Much of the way we treat our spouse is based on the way we saw our parents treat each other. In fact, most of what we learn comes from imitation. It’s all about who we are imitating. Who are our role-models?
Peter lifts up Jesus Christ as our role-model. The best person a Christian husband can possibly pattern himself after is Jesus --- who is a perfect blending of strength and tenderness. Peter also pointed out Sarah (Abraham’s wife) as an example for wives. Sarah wasn’t perfect, but she was listed as a hero of the faith in Hebrews chapter 11.
Here’s what Peter wrote: Wives, in the same way be submissive to your 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. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. 1 Peter 3:1-4
Peter presents submission and a quiet and gentle spirit as an opportunity for any wife to win her husband … not just to win his love for her, but to win him over to increased faith in Jesus. For a Christian wife, a gentle and quiet spirit is worn like an ornament. How rare those qualities are in a home.
Think about what life is really like in most families. Think about the needs and noise of children … the late nights and the early mornings … … the financial pressures, the busy schedules, the irritation and exhaustion …. and just the daily-ness of daily life! A wife who maintains a gentle and quiet spirit will bring peace to the home. She’ll be beautiful to her husband and of great worth in God’s sight.
If the key word here for the wife is submission, the key word for the husband is consideration. Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. (vs. 7)
It’s amazing how considerate a boy can be on a date and how inconsiderate a man can be in his marriage. Men, if you want to seek peace, never forget that your wife’s happiness is made out of many little moments. The small courtesies of life … little compliments, helping out with a chore, appreciating what she does, using a kind tone of voice when you address her … these things go a long way toward peace and joy in a marriage. On the other hand, big resentments often grow out of small hurts. Consideration means the husband respects his wife’s feelings, thinking, and desires.
The phrase as you live with your wives implies more than just living in the same house. Husbands need to work at really being PRESENT and sharing their lives with their wives in every way. It’s especially important for a Christian husband to share life with his wife as spiritual partners, heirs together of salvation. It’s important for husbands and wives to pray together and talk about their faith together. And… by the way, husbands --- if your prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling when you pray, check and see if you have been disrespecting your wife! You’ve heard it before, “If mamma ain’t happy; then nobody’s gonna be happy.”
The bottom line is that in a Christian home, both the husband and wife need to “be Jesus to each other.” Now there’s a tall order! But that’s what it takes if you want to seek peace in your home.
2. Seek Peace in the Church (vs. 8-11)
The next verse shows how we can seek peace in the church. Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. (vs.8) When Peter says live in harmony with one another he is speaking to believers who were scattered all around the Roman Empire. Harmony doesn’t mean uniformity, but cooperation in the midst of diversity.
On the music team sometimes we decide to sing in “unison.” That means all on the same note. At other times we add “harmony” which means we’re singing different notes in a way that (hopefully) sounds melodic and beautiful. That’s a great picture of how our congregation works.
Sometimes we sing in unison --- like when we say our confession of faith --- we are all alike in our faith. We’re in exact agreement on basic doctrine. But more often we work and think in a variety of ways --- no one exactly like another --- and if we do it right, we create rich, beautiful harmony. (Of course, every once in a while someone’s bound to hit a sour note, but hopefully we fix it and move on!)
We have a great variety of folks here at our church – different ages and backgrounds and even languages. And when we’re all behaving right … we work together in perfect harmony!
In vs. 9-10, Peter defines what “behaving right” looks like. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.”
Even though “an eye for an eye” is a Biblical principle of JUSTICE – in the church we operate from the principle of MERCY. After all, that’s the way God deals with us. We respond to insult with a blessing… because we know that we will inherit a blessing! In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10)
Peter cautions us to watch our words. Negative talk is not faith talk. What we SAY affects our ability to enjoy life and have good days. I often remember Barbara Loveall s, “I’m the healthiest person you know.” (How many of you heard her say that?) It was almost impossible to get a negative word out of Barbara (…unless you mentioned certain politicians … ha)
Now we come to the key verse: Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. (Vs. 11) We seek peace in the home and in the church, and Peter ends the chapter talking about how to seek peace in the world.
3. Seek Peace in the World (vs. 12-22)
Remember that Peter wrote this letter to Christians who live in a dangerous world. Roman rule was harsh for everyone. No one had the kind of rights we’re used to. Unless you were a Roman citizen, a soldier or tax collector could seize your belongings … or even take your life. And Christians above others had a big bulls-eye on them. They were a target for Roman persecution. No matter where they went, Christians were never safe.
So when Peter talks about how to seek peace in the world, he’s explaining how we can count on God’s grace while we live in a violent and evil world. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 1 Peter 3:12-14
We don’t live with the kinds of dangers the first century Christians faced, but there’s still plenty to be afraid of even in 21st century America. All you have to do is turn on the news to see that war and disease are escalating all over the planet. But over and over scripture tells us to “fear not.” Seeking peace starts with seeking peace in ourselves --- our own peace of mind!
In vs. 15-16, Peter writes: In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. And then Peter says, Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
If you are able to have peace of mind in the middle of hard times, people ARE going to ask how you can stay so calm. People can’t help but wonder why nothing seems to rattle you. And there’s your chance to share the HOPE of Jesus Christ with someone who needs to know Him. For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. (vs. 18)
We need to learn to see EVERY circumstance --- good or bad --- as an opportunity to share the love of Christ. God can use every circumstance in our lives as a way of bringing more people into His kingdom.
CONCLUSION:
Peter ends this chapter by referring back to the time of Noah … when the world’s population became so wicked that God sent a flood to wash it clean. God showed his Grace when Noah and his family were saved from the judgment of the flood.
Peter wrote: and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. (vs. 21-22)
This is a powerful picture of baptism. When we come up out of the waters of baptism, we have passed through judgment and come out into new life. Not because there’s magic in the water, but because there’s power in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ!
Because of Jesus, we can live an entirely new life. We have the power to seek peace and pursue it in every part of our lives … in our community, in our church, and in our homes.
