The Conduct of Believers I Peter 3:1-17
Last week we saw that Jesus Christ is our example, our role model. This morning following the example of Christ we will look into our conduct as believers
The Apostle Peter states in chapter 1 verse 17, that “we are to conduct ourselves in fear during the time of our stay on earth.” So while we are here on earth we have a certain way we should conduct ourselves.
So how is your conduct? How are you living your life? Is it a life that is pleasing to God?
Turn in your Bibles to I Peter 3:1-17. Here in these verses Peter starts by addressing wives, but he has not left out the husbands…no, no, no…he is going to get to us too.
So let’s look at what Peter says about the conduct of believers
I. Responsibilities of Wives vs. 1-6
• Wives behavior – vs. 1-2…Ephesians 5:22-24
• Wives beauty – vs. 3-5
• Peter uses Sarah as an example – v. 6
II. Responsibilities of Husbands v. 7
In the New Testament days there were two Jewish schools of thought…one, the Shammai was conservative and they restricted the legitimate cause for divorce to a wife’s unfaithfulness. On the other hand the Hillel was liberal and extended the cause to any thing the husband deemed displeasing. Husbands could divorce his wife but the wife could not leave or divorce him.
In Jewish law women were deemed to be a thing…a man could own sheep, cattle and he could own a wife. However, since Christ came that ended, in Christ we are all equal. It says in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
• What are husbands to do? V. 7a…Ephesians 5: 25-29
• Why should husbands do this? – v. 7b
III. Responsibilities of All vs. 8-17
• Live in loving harmony – v. 8
• Reward both good and evil with good – vs. 9-14
• Worship Christ as Lord and always be ready to explain your faith – v. 15
• Be ready to defend your faith – vs. 16-17
Conclusion: review points…Is your conduct as believers pleasing to God…this Christmas season is a good place to search our hearts for that answer.
